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Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Modular Construction Create a Mindful Retreat in a Natural Landscape

Authors:
Océane Leprince, Shanice Aka-adjo, Olga Golliet
Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Modular Construction Create a Mindful Retreat in a Natural Landscape
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Utilizing cross-laminated timber panels and modular construction, the design integrates seamlessly into the landscape, offering a focused space for meditation and mindfulness practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced cross-laminated timber panels to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features charred wooden shingles that enhance durability and aesthetics while providing fire resistance.
03
Incorporates a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior space and supports structural efficiency.
04
Utilizes modular construction methods, allowing for easy assembly and potential user involvement.
05
Designed to create a sensory connection with the landscape, promoting mindfulness and tranquility.

The "Senses" Meditation Cabin is an architectural project located in a naturally rich environment of New Zealand. It serves as a retreat for individuals seeking mindfulness and connection with nature. The design prioritizes simplicity and modularity, offering a functional space primarily for meditation, yoga, and quiet reflection. The cabin’s form emphasizes a minimalist aesthetic that encourages users to engage deeply with their surroundings.

The cabin's architectural layout consists of an open meditation area, a central fireplace, and a small altar, all designed to support various spiritual and contemplative practices. Each feature is strategically positioned to foster a sense of tranquility and focus. The dimensions of the space cater to five individuals, linking the cabin’s design directly to traditional practices, such as those influenced by Japanese architecture. Every aspect of the design is created to facilitate a harmonious relationship between the user and the landscape.

Sustainability and a connection to the environment are central to the project's ethos. The primary material used in the construction is wood, which not only creates a warm atmosphere but also reflects environmentally conscious design practices. The choice of locally sourced wood supports sustainability while enhancing the structure's integration into its natural setting. Other materials include a concrete footing for stability and potential metal components for functional elements like the fireplace.

Unique to this project is its modular construction approach, allowing for pre-fabricated components. This methodology is aligned with contemporary trends in architecture, enabling participation from users in the assembly process. The design features large cantilevered elements that provide shade and blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. This layout invites the natural landscape into the cabin, enhancing sensory experiences, such as visual engagement with the surroundings and auditory connections with nature.

The "Senses" Meditation Cabin represents a contemporary exploration of architecture focused on personal well-being and environmental harmony. Its design facilitates a deep engagement with nature through strategic layout and material choices. For a comprehensive understanding of this project, viewers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans and sections, architectural designs, and architectural ideas presented in the project documentation. Engaging with these elements can provide further insights into the intentionality and functionality of the design.

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

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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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