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Charred Wood Shingles Create Harmony with Nature in a Versatile Retreat

Authors:
José Gabriel López Cabrera, David Alejandro Rodriguez Sarzosa, Daniel Esteban Romero Freire, Dennis Ricardo Sola Duque
Charred Wood Shingles Create Harmony with Nature in a Versatile Retreat
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Incorporating charred wood shingles and expansive glass elements, the design fosters a seamless connection with the landscape while serving as a versatile retreat for reflection and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and fire resistance.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural stability while minimizing environmental impact.
03
The bent A-frame design allows for effective rainwater management and natural ventilation.
04
Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, promoting ecological harmony.
05
Interior spaces are adaptable for various uses, supporting community gatherings and individual reflection.

**Overview**

Located within a natural landscape, the design of Stonebarn integrates architectural elements with the surrounding environment, reflecting themes of temporality and the relationship between built structures and natural decay. The intent is to create a space that fosters meditation and contemplation, emphasizing the fluid relationship between the constructed and the organic. The interplay of materials and spatial organization is carefully considered to enhance user interaction with the landscape, inviting a reflective experience.

**Spatial Composition and User Engagement**

The spatial layout features a central structure that harmonizes with its context, offering areas conducive to quiet reflection and engagement with nature. The arrangement is intentionally flexible, accommodating various activities such as meditation and communal gatherings. This adaptability allows the space to evolve with its occupants, addressing both current uses and anticipating future needs.

**Material Selection and Environmental Integration**

The material palette is thoughtfully chosen to reinforce the project’s connection to the environment. The predominant use of stone provides a sense of permanence, while wood adds warmth and a reflection of organic growth. Concrete pathways facilitate durability, and glass elements blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, enhancing exposure to natural light. Steel elements offer structural integrity while minimizing visual disruption, further supporting the integration of the building within its landscape.

The design approach reflects an understanding of decay and rebirth, celebrating the life cycle of both the structure and its surroundings, ultimately inviting occupants to engage in an ongoing dialogue with the site and themselves.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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