Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Curved Wooden Sanctuary with Translucent Glazing for Meditative Retreat

Authors:
Eduardo Acevedo, Irina Salas
Curved Wooden Sanctuary with Translucent Glazing for Meditative Retreat
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
A curved wooden wall creates an intimate meditation space illuminated by natural light filtering through expansive glazing, offering a tranquil retreat designed for reflection and mindfulness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved wooden wall enhances intimacy in the meditation area.
02
Expansive glazing blurs boundaries between interior and nature.
03
Treated wood exterior promotes durability against weather elements.
04
Interior spaces use birch veneer plywood for a calming effect.
05
Design creates distinct zones for both solitude and connection.

The Duality Cabin introduces a modern approach that embraces the idea of duality, focusing on balance between different elements in its design. Located in a natural setting, the cabin functions as a space for meditation and self-reflection. The overall design connects deeply with the surrounding landscape, inviting residents to appreciate the simplicity of the environment while considering the dual aspects of life.

Design Concept

Incorporating the yin-yang philosophy, the design delves into the relationship between light and darkness, as well as between active and passive states. This concept shapes the architectural elements, offering visitors a chance to explore various dimensions of their experience. The cabin presents a clear and straightforward geometry, avoiding unnecessary details, which emphasizes its purpose and functionality.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout of the cabin promotes natural movement between open and enclosed areas. A curved wall serves as a welcoming entrance, guiding visitors into the main room while setting the tone for their experience. The design creates distinct zones that facilitate both interaction and solitude. The extensive glass wall allows natural light to filter into the space, effectively merging the indoor environment with the outdoors and fostering a sense of connection with nature.

Materiality

Materials are thoughtfully chosen to complement the cabin’s aesthetic and usability. The exterior is finished with treated wood, which enhances durability and establishes a relational bond with the environment. Inside, birch veneer plywood is used to create a warm and calming atmosphere. The materials work together to support the design's focus on minimalism and peace, contributing to the cabin’s overall meditative quality.

Aesthetic Detail

Key design features highlight the exploration of duality throughout the cabin. The curved wooden wall creates an intimate meditation space, contrasting with the transparent glass wall. This contrast between solid and fragile elements creates an engaging dialogue, inviting occupants to experience both the enclosure and openness of the space. Light plays an important role here, as it filters through the glass, casting gentle shadows and enhancing the natural textures of the wood, deepening the sensory experience within the cabin.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
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

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 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
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy