Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Charred Wooden Facade Complementing Natural Light in a Sustainable Spa Retreat

Author:
Patrycja Seroka
Charred Wooden Facade Complementing Natural Light in a Sustainable Spa Retreat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
A facade of charred wood harmonizes with expansive glass walls, creating a seamless dialogue with the surrounding landscape while offering a comprehensive spa and wellness experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
A unique bent A-frame design enhances structural efficiency while maximizing interior space.
02
Charred wooden shingles provide fire resistance and blend with the surrounding landscape.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized for sustainable construction and thermal performance.
04
Extensive glass walls facilitate natural light and panoramic views of the countryside.
05
Dedicated wellness facilities promote holistic health, integrating nature into the guest experience.

The project is a hotel and spa complex designed to blend with its natural environment while offering a range of luxury accommodations and wellness treatments. The architecture emphasizes a strong connection to the landscape, reflecting regional traditions alongside contemporary design practices. The facility serves multiple functions, including guest lodging, spa services, and communal spaces that foster social interactions.

The complex utilizes local materials to establish a physical and cultural connection to the site. Local stone is employed in the cladding, providing a robust exterior that resonates with the surrounding geography. Expansive glass facades bring in natural light and offer unobstructed views of the nearby countryside, creating an inviting atmosphere for guests. The design prioritizes sustainability through the use of energy-efficient systems and an emphasis on natural ventilation.

Contextual Sensitivity and Modern Design

A distinctive feature of this project lies in its contextual sensitivity. The design integrates traditional architectural elements, such as red-tiled roofing and stone work, which pay homage to local vernacular architecture. This approach ensures that the building does not appear as an alien addition to the environment but rather as part of the landscape's narrative.

The project also employs a unique layering strategy, with overhanging structures that create shaded terraces and outdoor spaces. This design fosters a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor environments, enhancing the users’ experience. The careful arrangement of these elements reflects an understanding of human interactions within communal spaces, promoting both privacy and social engagement.

Functional Design and User Experience

The interior layout is designed for ease of movement, with clear pathways connecting various functions of the complex. Social spaces such as lounges, terraces, and dining areas are thoughtfully positioned to encourage interaction among guests, fostering a sense of community. The spa zone includes facilities for relaxation and wellness, integrating natural materials and colors that evoke tranquility.

The design incorporates green spaces, which enhance the natural surroundings and provide guests with outdoor opportunities for recreation and relaxation. These areas are not merely aesthetic; they contribute to the overall wellness theme of the project.

For more insights into this project, including architectural plans, sections, and specific design ideas that shape the user experience, readers are encouraged to explore the project presentation further. Capturing the nuanced details of this project will provide a deeper appreciation of its architectural significance and functional design.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

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

`
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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 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
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy