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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Enveloping a Sustainable Wellness Retreat

Author:
Cecilia Marina
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Enveloping a Sustainable Wellness Retreat
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Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design creates a sustainable wellness retreat that harmonizes with its natural surroundings while providing spaces for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local charred wooden shingles for enhanced fire resistance and aesthetic integration.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.
03
Design features a bent A-frame structure, maximizing interior space while minimizing material use.
04
Includes meditation shelters dispersed throughout the landscape to enhance solitude and connection to nature.
05
Employs rainwater harvesting systems to promote sustainable water management onsite.

### Project Overview
Located in Madona, Latvia, the Stone Barn Meditation project serves as a wellness retreat set within a landscape characterized by its extensive forests and natural beauty. The intent of the design is to establish a serene environment that promotes reflection, introspection, and a connection to the surrounding nature. The architectural concept emphasizes a human-centric approach, emphasizing the influence of the built environment on individual well-being.

### Spatial Organization and Functional Zoning
The spatial design strategically organizes the site into distinct public and private areas. The main building serves as a communal hub, incorporating facilities such as reception, yoga spaces, and shared gathering areas. Additionally, lightweight guest cabins provide private accommodations that maintain intimacy with the landscape, while meditation shelters are intentionally dispersed throughout the site to offer varied contemplative experiences. Agricultural areas, including a farm and orchard, contribute to both the retreat's sustenance and the ecological enhancement of the local environment. This configuration encourages exploration of the natural surroundings through carefully designed pathways that invite interaction with the site.

### Material Selection and Sustainable Technology
The project employs an array of materials selected for their sustainability and functional benefits. Polycarbonate panels are utilized in greenhouse sections for optimal light diffusion and thermal performance, facilitating year-round cultivation. Locally sourced wood forms the structural elements, while recycled wood is employed in interior finishes. Gypsum serves as an internal moisture-regulating finish, enhancing comfort. To further promote sustainability, the project incorporates advanced technologies such as passive solar heating and rainwater management systems. Solar panels are deployed to generate renewable energy to power communal areas, underscoring the project’s commitment to environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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