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 Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Shape A Healing Retreat Along The Chao Phraya River

Author:
Napapat Kuanpruk
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Shape A Healing Retreat Along The Chao Phraya River

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber panels create a harmonious retreat that integrates seamlessly with the Chao Phraya River, serving as a restorative space focused on community well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance fire resistance while offering a distinct visual texture.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels provide structural stability and speed up construction.
03
A bent A-frame design optimizes natural light while maintaining visual connection to the river.
04
The central water courtyard functions as both an aesthetic feature and a natural reservoir.
05
Landscaped pathways encourage direct engagement with the riverscape and surrounding nature.

The architectural project, "Whispering Water," is designed to serve as a healing space situated along the Chao Phraya River in Thailand. This facility focuses on enhancing the well-being of its users by integrating aspects of nature into its architectural framework. The project's primary function is to provide a nurturing environment for therapeutic activities while fostering community interaction. The design is characterized by a harmonious relationship between built and natural environments, leveraging water and landscape as core elements.

The layout encompasses various zones tailored to fulfill specific needs. A communal dining area encourages social connections, while dedicated therapy rooms and quiet reading spaces offer retreat and reflection. The prevailing use of natural materials, such as wood and glass, facilitates a warm ambiance and maximizes natural light, effectively forming a seamless link with the surrounding ecosystem.

Spatial interaction is enhanced through landscaped steps that lead toward the river, promoting direct engagement with the water. Additionally, a central water courtyard acts as a focal point, symbolizing the river's essence and serving dual roles as an aesthetic centerpiece and a natural reservoir. The design carefully considers circulation patterns and accessibility, ensuring ease of movement throughout the facility.

Emphasis on Sustainability and Cultural Integration

What sets "Whispering Water" apart from other projects is its emphasis on sustainability and cultural integration. The architecture reflects traditional Thai design elements while employing local materials, ensuring that the project resonates with the cultural backdrop of the region. The incorporation of large glass panels allows for unobstructed views of the river and natural light penetration, fostering a connection to the external environment.

The facility's design encourages community engagement through flexible, multi-functional spaces. These areas can host social gatherings as well as individual activities, accommodating diverse needs. By prioritizing the relationship between architecture and nature, the project aims to elevate the user experience and promote a sense of well-being.

Client-Centric and Adaptive Design

The design approach for "Whispering Water" is client-centric, addressing the specific needs of the community it serves. The spaces are crafted to provide comfort while encouraging interaction, accommodating both communal and private moments. The architectural plans include detailed sections that illustrate the thoughtful balance of light, space, and materiality.

Overall, "Whispering Water" is a project that embraces its geographical context while delivering functional spaces for healing and connection. For more detailed insights into the architectural plans, sections, and design elements, readers are encouraged to explore the project presentation to better understand its innovative features and overall impact on the surrounding community.

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

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.

`

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

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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