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Elevated Retreat Featuring Multi-Wall Polycarbonate and Natural Wood Finishes

Authors:
Florin Adrian Bucur, Ioana Badoiu, Monica Elena Buica, Maria Alexandra Barbalata
Elevated Retreat Featuring Multi-Wall Polycarbonate and Natural Wood Finishes
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Elevated above the forest floor, the cabin utilizes multi-wall polycarbonate for insulation and natural wood finishes to create a meditative retreat designed for reflection and creativity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design offers three distinct levels for varied activities.
02
Multi-wall polycarbonate provides enhanced thermal insulation while maintaining transparency.
03
Utilizes a screw pile foundation to minimize environmental impact.
04
Modular facades allow for adaptable orientation based on site conditions.
05
Natural wood finishes promote a strong connection with the surrounding forest.

The project located in the Ozolini retreat area demonstrates a careful blend of architecture and nature. Designed as a multi-layered structure, it provides a space for various functions while fostering a strong connection with the forest environment. Users find a sanctuary here, encouraging moments of reflection alongside engagement with the natural surroundings.

Design Concept

The design emphasizes a vertical layout within the cabin, segmented into three distinct levels intended for different activities. The ground level addresses basic human needs such as eating and bathing, establishing a clear connection to the forest floor. The second level promotes passive relaxation and sleep, creating a comfortable retreat, while the third level serves as a space for meditation and creative work, allowing individuals to enjoy views of the sky.

Materials and Structural Considerations

Sustainability plays a significant role in the selection of materials, which include prefabricated wood framing panels and metal connectors. These elements form the main framework of the cabin, ensuring strength and allowing for quick assembly. The exterior walls are made from multi-wall polycarbonate sheets, providing good thermal insulation through air-proof cavities, balancing energy use with an appealing modern look.

Environmental Integration

The cabin is designed to fit well into its surroundings, characterized by its small environmental footprint. Using a screw pile foundation allows for easy setup with minimal impact on the natural landscape. This feature also enables straightforward removal if necessary, highlighting a commitment to preserving the environment. The modular design further allows for flexible facades that can be adjusted based on location and user needs, improving adaptability to different weather conditions.

Unique Spatial Experiences

A key feature of the design is the layered arrangement of spaces that enhance the user experience. The transition from grounded activities on the lower level to an elevated meditative space offers a journey of engagement with both the cabin and its natural setting. Occupants are encouraged to connect with themselves while surrounded by tall Norway Spruce trees, deepening their bond with the landscape.

The design reaches its peak in the third level, which opens to the sky. Here, moments of contemplation and creativity can flourish, as natural light filters through the canopy, creating a dynamic atmosphere that inspires occupants to immerse themselves in their surroundings.

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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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