Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Elevated Cabins Featuring Natural Wood and Cork Insulation for Mindful Retreats

Authors:
Katarína Kandráčová, Adam Huleja
Elevated Cabins Featuring Natural Wood and Cork Insulation for Mindful Retreats
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Elevated above the forest floor, the cabins utilize natural wood, glass walls, and cork insulation to create a serene environment designed for meditation and self-reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structures reduce ground impact and promote natural water drainage.
02
Integration of rainwater harvesting systems enhances sustainability and resource management.
03
Wooden beams provide structural support while maintaining an open, airy feel.
04
Glass walls create seamless transitions between interior spaces and the surrounding environment.
05
Cork insulation contributes to energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.

The Vale de Muses Meditation Cabins project is an architectural endeavor located in a tranquil region of Portugal, designed to provide spaces for meditation and self-reflection. The concept integrates natural elements and eco-friendly practices, emphasizing a minimalistic approach to construction. The architectural design harmonizes with the surrounding environment, promoting tranquility and mindfulness through deliberate spatial organization.

The cabins feature an elongated, simple form with an open-plan layout that is optimized for versatility. Each unit includes a central meditation space, kitchenette, and private bathroom facilities. Wooden beams support the elevated structure, minimizing soil disturbance while allowing for unobstructed views of the surrounding forest. The use of glass walls enhances this interaction with the natural world, creating an immersive experience for users.

The project represents a commitment to sustainability and mindfulness. Emphasizing simplicity and the intrinsic qualities of materials, the design fosters a connection to nature and encourages personal and communal reflection. It embodies the principles of Zen, drawing inspiration from minimalism and the philosophy of achieving clarity through simplicity.

Material selection plays a critical role in this architectural design. The structure utilizes various types of wood for beams and cladding, symbolizing a connection to the forests from which they came. Additionally, glass is integrated to create transparency and continuity between interior and exterior environments. Metal components reinforce structural integrity while maintaining a lightweight profile. Incorporating cork for insulation further enhances energy efficiency. The architectural solutions not only promote sustainability but also ensure that the cabins blend seamlessly with their natural setting.

The unique approach in the Vale de Muses project lies in its emphasis on adaptive use of space. Each cabin is designed to accommodate various activities, allowing occupants to engage in yoga or meditation as needed. The elevated placement of the structure minimizes environmental impact, affirming the project's commitment to ecological preservation. Furthermore, the integration of rainwater harvesting systems exemplifies the sustainable design principles that guide the project. These features support self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship.

In summary, the Vale de Muses Meditation Cabins project embodies architectural principles that prioritize functionality, sustainability, and user experience. Its thoughtful design and material choices provide a serene setting for meditation, aligning with a wider ethos of conscious living. For a comprehensive understanding of the project’s architectural plans, sections, and designs, please explore the presentation for more detailed insights.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 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
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
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

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
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
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
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
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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