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Concrete Retreats with Natural Greywater Purification

Authors:
Maria Bindiu, Colton Chehowy
Concrete Retreats with Natural Greywater Purification
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Concrete structures incorporate a natural greywater purification system to enhance sustainability while providing intimate sleeping spaces for couples in the tranquil forests of central Portugal.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cápsula features a natural greywater purification system utilizing a reed bed for water management.
02
Each sleeping pod is oriented to offer unique views of the surrounding landscape.
03
Interior walls made of concrete enhance sound insulation and structural strength.
04
The design prioritizes intimacy with nature through accessible outdoor bathing facilities.
05
The layout includes a central pathway that separates public and private spaces effectively.

Cápsula is an architectural proposal located in the forests of central Portugal, within the Vale de Moses Yoga retreat. Designed to accommodate couples, the sleeping pod emphasizes connections with nature, creating a relaxing space that enhances sensory experiences. Each capsule has a unique orientation that allows guests to enjoy different views of the surrounding landscape, encouraging a peaceful relationship with the environment.

Spatial Layout

The layout features a central pathway that divides public and private spaces effectively. This organization allows easy navigation while maintaining a sense of intimacy within each pod. Essential amenities, such as a washroom and outdoor shower, are included in the design, ensuring comfort for guests while minimizing distractions from the natural surroundings. This practical approach highlights the focus on user experience.

Acoustic Considerations

The design pays careful attention to acoustics, aiming to foster a calm atmosphere for relaxation. Each pod is designed to enhance external sounds while providing insulation from disruptive noise. This creates an environment ideal for meditation or contemplation. The use of concrete for the interior walls is significant, as it adds to sound absorption and structural strength, allowing for an immersive encounter with nature.

Sustainable Systems

Cápsula integrates a natural greywater purification system, which highlights its commitment to sustainability. Greywater from washing facilities is directed into a grease trap, where larger solids are separated. It then flows through a baffle filtration system that prepares the water before it reaches a reed bed. Here, plants help purify the water through a natural process, allowing for its reuse and promoting responsible resource management.

Each sleeping pod provides an opportunity for guests to connect intimately with the beauty of the forest. They are designed as personal retreats that invite quiet thought and deep appreciation of nature's surroundings. Each capsule serves as a space to escape and recharge, rooted in harmony with the environment.

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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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