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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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MICROHOME 2026
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
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20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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