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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Ventilation in a Wellness Retreat Set Against a Scenic Pond

Authors:
Rahul Lawhare, Priyanka Mahajan
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Ventilation in a Wellness Retreat Set Against a Scenic Pond
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Employing charred wooden shingles and natural ventilation, the design integrates seamlessly with its picturesque setting to create a wellness retreat focused on enhancing well-being and ecological sensitivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and weather resistance.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels to optimize structural integrity and sustainability.
03
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to maximize interior space while reducing material use.
04
Features extensive natural ventilation to promote air quality and energy efficiency.
05
Integrates a community garden to support local food production and eco-awareness.

### Project Overview
Located adjacent to a tranquil water body, the Blue Clay Country Spa is designed to facilitate well-being by fostering a connection between occupants and the surrounding landscape. The architectural intent focuses on sustainability and community engagement while creating spaces that enhance both personal wellness and ecological conservation. The layout incorporates natural features, such as existing trees and topography, to create distinct zones for therapy, residential living, and recreation, ensuring that landscaping is integral to the site’s functionality.

### Spatial Organization and User Interaction
The spatial strategy emphasizes an interconnected network of environments that prioritize user experience. Key design elements include outdoor decks that extend into the landscape, promoting social interaction and recreational activities. A pond-facing amphitheater serves as a multifunctional area for community events, while therapy rooms are designed to optimize views and natural light, enhancing relaxation and mindfulness. Additionally, dedicated garden spaces support agricultural education and reinforce the project's commitment to sustainability.

### Materiality and Sustainable Practices
The material selection features a combination of local and traditional elements, designed to harmonize with the environment. Stone provides durability and thermal mass, while timber enhances warmth and a natural aesthetic. Large expanses of glass are utilized to maximize natural light and visual connections to nature, and gravel pathways assist in effective water management. Incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, combined with rainwater harvesting systems, affirms the design's commitment to environmental sustainability. Passive cooling techniques, along with abundant openings that blend inside and outside, further reinforce the project’s ethos of creating a restorative and ecologically-conscious space.

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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
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