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Cob Platforms and Thatch Roof Blend for Mindful Retreat in Forested Setting

Authors:
Sohan Tari, Minna Bansal
Cob Platforms and Thatch Roof Blend for Mindful Retreat in Forested Setting
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Hand-sculpted cob platforms and a thatch roof create a harmonious retreat that promotes mindfulness within a forested landscape, inviting users to engage with nature while practicing meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Hand-sculpted cob platforms serve as multifunctional spaces for meditation and resting.
02
The cabin incorporates a green roof, enhancing ecological integration with the forest.
03
An earthen fireplace utilizes natural materials for efficient heating in winter.
04
A rainwater collection system supports sustainable resource management.
05
The outdoor tree pit toilet enriches the soil and fosters new plant growth.

The Karma Yoga Cabin is located in a quiet forest in Latvia, designed to foster mindfulness and self-care. It serves as a retreat where individuals can reconnect with nature while focusing on their inner well-being. The overall design aims to create a peaceful atmosphere, encouraging users to engage with both their thoughts and the natural world around them.

Architecture Concept
Inspired by the traditional buildings of Latvia, the cabin uses timber logs and timber frames, reflecting the local architectural heritage. The thatch roof adds to the visual connection with the environment and promotes energy efficiency. The design focuses on creating spaces that support tranquility, highlighting the relationship between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty.

Design Features
A prominent aspect of the cabin is its central cove, serving a dual function as a meditation space and a greenhouse. Large glass panes provide clear views of the surrounding forest while allowing plenty of natural light to illuminate the interior. This arrangement encourages a strong connection to the outdoors, letting users enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Sustainability Practices
This design incorporates several sustainable elements. An earthen fireplace, paired with a berm, is effective in retaining heat during colder weather, ensuring a warm and inviting environment. A rainwater collection system helps conserve resources, minimizing the ecological footprint. The innovative tree pit toilet enriches the soil, fostering new plant life while supporting waste management practices.

Mindfulness Integration
Everyday activities, such as gathering firewood and caring for vegetable plants, are central to life in the cabin. These tasks promote mindfulness, encouraging users to engage fully with their surroundings. A walking meditation trail circles the cabin, inviting quiet reflection while allowing people to appreciate the different sensations found in the forest.

Attention to detail is evident in features like the hand-sculpted cob-style earth platforms, which provide comfortable spaces for rest and meditation. These design elements enhance the overall experience, creating a setting that supports both tranquility and connection to nature.

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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
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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