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Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat

Charred Wooden Shingles and Translucent Canopy in a Residential Retreat
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Floors adorned with charred wooden shingles and an airy, translucent canopy integrate seamlessly into a natural landscape, creating a contemporary dwelling that emphasizes light and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floors incorporate charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and weather resistance.
02
A bent A-frame design optimizes structural integrity while allowing for greater interior volume.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels are utilized for both walls and roofing, providing efficient insulation.
04
Large, strategically positioned openings create dynamic light patterns throughout the living spaces.
05
Native landscaping surrounds the structure, reinforcing ecological relationships with the local environment.

## Conceptual Overview

"Forest of Shadows" is a residential architectural design situated in a natural landscape, focusing on the interaction between built and natural environments. The concept emphasizes the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, akin to the experience of wandering through a forest. The design integrates features that mimic sunlight filtering through foliage, fostering a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a sense of safety and tranquility.

## Structural Layout and Materiality

The design employs a staggered arrangement of interconnected buildings, facilitating movement between diverse spaces and promoting a cohesive flow within the layout. Each area, including living zones, a kitchen, bathrooms, and communal spaces, is organized thoughtfully to maintain open connectivity.

The use of wood in the exterior cladding offers a rustic aesthetic while reinforcing sustainability efforts. Concrete serves as a durable foundation and pathway material, providing stability. The roof is crafted to resemble a forest canopy, utilizing lightweight yet robust fabric-like materials to diffuse light, contributing to transparency and enhancing the overall experience of natural illumination. Vertical white columns elevate the roof structure, creating an airy ambiance that preserves shelter while inviting the outdoors in.

## Sensory Engagement and Sustainability

The design encourages an immersive sensory experience, allowing occupants to engage with light, shadows, and sounds characteristic of the surrounding landscape. The arrangement and features of the home are intended to shift with the seasonal changes, enriching daily interactions within the space. The project emphasizes sustainability through the selection of low-impact materials and the incorporation of native plants in the surrounding landscape, enhancing ecological harmony while maintaining aesthetic value. The flexible layout supports both privacy and community engagement, reflecting a balanced approach to modern living.

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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

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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

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