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Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Sustainable Living in a Modular Forest Cabin

Charred Wooden Shingles Elevate Sustainable Living in a Modular Forest Cabin
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Charred wooden shingles and galvanized steel combine with a modular design to create a sustainable living space elevated above the forest floor, promoting resilience and adaptability in a natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both durability and fire resistance.
02
The modular construction allows for easy reconfiguration based on user needs.
03
Galvanized steel supports enhance structural integrity while minimizing material use.
04
Rainwater harvesting systems are integrated into the design for efficient resource management.
05
Acoustic features amplify natural sounds, enhancing the connection to the forest environment.

### Project Overview
Able Cabin 6x4, designed for the Lands Forest, addresses contemporary challenges such as climate change and the demand for adaptable living spaces. This project integrates modular design principles with an emphasis on sustainability, reflecting a commitment to ecological balance amidst a backdrop of environmental degradation. The chosen location presents an opportunity to explore architectural solutions that foster resilience while reinforcing connections between built environments and natural ecosystems.

### Design Philosophy
The project prioritizes dismantlability and adaptability, enabling the cabin to respond to diverse environmental conditions and user needs. The design aims to redefine conventional living spaces by emphasizing ecological integrity and flexibility, thereby countering the pressures of urbanization and biodiversity loss. Architecture does not merely provide shelter but actively engages with its surroundings to enhance the living experience while promoting environmental stewardship.

### Materials and Construction
Indeed, the construction methodology employs light and resilient materials to minimize ecological impact. The primary materials include galvanized steel for structural support, local wood species that harmonize with the forest, insulation materials enhancing energy efficiency, and a biomass generator that utilizes local organic waste for energy. The modular construction process facilitates reduced waste, prioritizing efficient assembly and transportability through systematic steps: framing, insulation, and final fitting.

**Architectural Elements**
- **External Design**: Elevated on slender stilts, the cabin minimizes ground disturbance, allowing for natural water flow and integrating with the surrounding landscape through varied exterior cladding colors.
- **Interior Layout**: The design incorporates a flexible interior adaptable to various activities—work, leisure, or rest—enhanced by high ceilings and large windows that provide abundant natural light and forest views. The central technical block efficiently manages resources like water and energy.
- **Modular Components**: Innovations such as the Module Amplifier connect occupants to their environment by capturing natural sounds, while facades with adjustable louvers regulate solar gain and improve ventilation.
- **Sustainability Features**: Deployable roof sections manage rainwater and enhance natural cooling, complemented by a water recycling system that embodies a commitment to conserving resources and fostering ecological integration.

Overall, the Able Cabin 6x4 serves as both a living space and an educational model for sustainable practices, promoting renewable energy use, resource efficiency, and the cultivation of micro-communities focused on environmental sustainability.

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Enter an open architecture
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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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
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Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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