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A Curved Timber Atrium Retreat with Eco-Friendly Wellness Spaces

Authors:
Renelle Handa, Jessica Wang, Jessica Jia
A Curved Timber Atrium Retreat with Eco-Friendly Wellness Spaces
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A multi-level retreat centered on wellness, Auricle Cove integrates timber, expansive glazing, and biophilic design. The structure supports sustainable living through a greenhouse, daylight-driven spaces, and local material use.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a laminated pine frame system.
02
Breathable envelope of vertical wooden slats.
03
Curved rooflines inspired by Art Nouveau geometry.
04
Central atrium enhances light and natural ventilation.
05
Greenhouse supports local food production initiatives.

Auricle Cove is a multi-story wellness and retreat center constructed with a laminated pine frame system and natural insulation. The building's envelope—composed of vertical wooden slats and expansive glazing—supports both breathability and visual connection to the surrounding landscape. Curved rooflines, influenced by Art Nouveau geometry and organic forms, add structural rhythm while reinforcing the project’s emphasis on flow and natural integration.

Program Sequence and Spatial Organization

The retreat is organized vertically across four levels, each serving distinct functions: the ground floor hosts the entry, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom; the second floor is dedicated to a yoga studio and communal living; private bedrooms and additional baths occupy the third floor; and the top floor contains a greenhouse and a multipurpose space for workshops. A central atrium and operable skylight bring daylight into the core and support natural ventilation, structuring the interior around light and air movement.

Environmental Systems and Material Strategy

Passive solar gain is maximized through full-height glass panels on each floor, while the greenhouse encourages local food production and plant-based nutrition. Timber and natural insulation materials contribute to energy efficiency and a tactile, low-impact interior environment. Views and circulation are carefully choreographed to support wellness, creating a retreat space shaped by its relationship to site, season, and sustainable practice.

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

`
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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