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Circular Rooms Forging Creative Spaces in a Remote Coastal Retreat

Author:
Nicholas Lee
Circular Rooms Forging Creative Spaces in a Remote Coastal Retreat
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With a series of fragmented circular rooms enhancing privacy and fostering creativity, the dwelling serves as a functional retreat for a writer and musician on the serene island of Bornholm.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular room configuration promotes both isolation and interaction for inhabitants.
02
Inhabitable thresholds enhance movement and connectivity between spaces.
03
Designed specifically for a writer and musician to foster creativity.
04
Prominent integration with the natural landscape of Bornholm.
05
Focus on privacy while maintaining communal areas for collaboration.

Refugium is a micro dwelling located on the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, east of Copenhagen. Designed to serve as a retreat for a writer and a musician, the project offers a peaceful environment that nurtures creativity. The layout emphasizes creating a unique space where the occupants can work and reflect, addressing the modern need for flexible living arrangements.

Spatial Configuration

The design features a series of circular rooms arranged in a fragmented manner. This layout allows for isolation, enabling focused work while also facilitating connections to shared areas. Each room is thoughtfully positioned to provide privacy, minimizing interruptions during creative activities. The overall arrangement promotes a functional and supportive environment tailored to the needs of its inhabitants.

Inhabitable Thresholds

The dwelling includes inhabitable thresholds that connect different rooms, creating transitional spaces between areas of work and relaxation. These thresholds enhance the flow within the home, allowing movement while preserving personal space. They also encourage casual interactions, contributing to a more dynamic living experience that balances solitude and companionship.

Relationship with Nature

Refugium is designed to connect occupants with the natural surroundings of Bornholm. The positioning and layout of the dwelling encourage residents to engage with the landscape, making the most of the island’s beauty. This approach reinforces the idea of a retreat, offering not just shelter but also a deeper relationship with the environment, which enhances the creative atmosphere.

The circular room design exemplifies a practical use of space while promoting comfort and functionality. By focusing on privacy and interaction, the dwelling meets the specific needs of its inhabitants, making it a thoughtful response to contemporary living challenges. The result is a home that supports creativity and personal reflection in a tranquil setting.

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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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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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