Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cylindrical Retreat Featuring Cross-Laminated Timber in a Forest Setting

Authors:
Noah Zweig, Richard Asuncion, Andrea Plesa
Cylindrical Retreat Featuring Cross-Laminated Timber in a Forest Setting

Project in-detail

Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels and embracing a cylindrical form, this meditation cabin offers a seamless connection to its forest environment, providing a tranquil space for mindfulness and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using a unique bent A-frame design to enhance structural stability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for improved weather resistance and an organic appearance.
03
Features expansive glazing that maximizes natural light and forest views, fostering connection to nature.
04
Utilizes locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.
05
Designed as a multifunctional space for various mindfulness practices, adaptable to user needs.

The Sacris Imago Meditation Cabin is a thoughtfully designed architectural project that serves as a retreat for meditation and reflection. Set in a woodland environment, this structure harmonizes with the natural landscape while offering a serene space for individuals to engage in mindfulness practices. The cabin emphasizes a strong relationship between the built environment and its natural surroundings, creating a restorative experience for users.

The primary function of the Sacris Imago is to facilitate meditation, yoga, and contemplative activities. The cabin's design aims to promote tranquility and introspection through its spatial organization and material choices, encouraging a deeper connection with nature. Large windows and open layouts allow natural light to fill the interior and provide unobstructed views of the forest, further enhancing the meditative environment.

The design approach of the Sacris Imago stands out due to its seamless integration with the landscape. The structure employs a combination of geometric shapes, featuring a cylindrical form that extends from the main rectangular body. This element not only reflects organic patterns found in nature but also promotes fluidity in movement around and through the building.

The choice of materials is critical in achieving the cabin’s objective. Wood, likely sourced from local forests, serves as the primary cladding material, allowing the cabin to blend discreetly into its setting. Glass is utilized extensively to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors, maximizing the connection to the surrounding environment. Natural stone elements are incorporated in various interior surfaces, enhancing tactile experiences and aesthetic warmth.

Sustainability is another hallmark of this project. The architecture emphasizes the use of renewable resources and energy efficiency through careful material selection and construction techniques. This consideration not only minimizes the ecological footprint of the cabin but also aligns with the overarching theme of mindfulness towards nature.

Overall, the Sacris Imago Meditation Cabin exemplifies a design philosophy that prioritizes harmony with the environment, functional space for meditation, and sustainable architectural practices. To gain further insights into the project, including architectural plans and sections, readers are encouraged to explore the comprehensive presentation of this unique design.

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

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

`

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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