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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Spa Retreat by the Lake

Authors:
Guillaume Galamand, Noemie Jahel
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Spa Retreat by the Lake

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the spa seamlessly integrates into its lakeside environment, providing a tranquil retreat focused on wellness and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and sustainability.
03
Features strategically placed skylights to maximize natural light throughout the interior.
04
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to create dynamic spatial experiences.
05
Includes therapeutic water features that facilitate relaxation and enhance tranquility.

The Blue Clay Country Spa is an architectural project focused on creating a retreat that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings. Located near a lake, the design promotes relaxation and wellness by allowing visitors to engage with both the architecture and the landscape. The project emphasizes a balanced relationship between built environments and natural ecosystems, employing materials that reflect and enhance its tranquil setting.

**Design Approach and Materiality**

An essential aspect of the project is its careful selection of materials and its response to the site. The primary materials include wood, stone, glass, and concrete, each chosen for their aesthetic qualities and environmental performance. The use of wood provides a warm, inviting atmosphere while promoting indoor air quality. Stone elements, likely slate, enhance the acoustics within the spa areas, enriching the sensory experience. Glass is used extensively to maximize natural light and visibility, reinforcing connections to the lake and landscape. The concrete foundation has been constructed to blend seamlessly with the topography, supporting the overall design intent.

The roof features green elements that contribute to biodiversity, while also enhancing thermal performance through improved insulation. These design choices reflect a commitment to sustainability, reducing the project's environmental impact while fostering a harmonious interaction between architecture and the natural setting.

**Unique Features of the Project**

The Blue Clay Country Spa distinguishes itself through several innovative design approaches. It employs an adaptive layout that allows flexibility in usage over time, accommodating various needs such as relaxation, dining, and community events. The integration of multiple therapeutic water bodies serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, providing guests with calming spaces that enhance their overall experience.

Another notable element is the strategic orientation of spaces, designed to maximize views of the lake while facilitating passive solar heating. This design approach enhances energy efficiency and creates inviting areas for contemplation and leisure.

**Functional Layout and Visitor Experience**

The architectural layout promotes a sense of flow, guiding visitors through a carefully curated journey from public areas to more private, intimate settings. Arrival spaces are designed to welcome guests, with features that encourage interaction with the landscape. Interior zones transition seamlessly to outdoor terraces and gardens, further blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor environments.

Key functional areas include treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, and communal spaces that foster social interaction. Each space is purposefully designed to enhance the visitor experience, with attention to material choices and spatial organization.

For a comprehensive understanding of the Blue Clay Country Spa, including architectural plans and sections, please explore the detailed project presentation. By reviewing these architectural designs, you can gain deeper insights into its innovative approaches and the underlying architectural ideas that define this distinctive spa.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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