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

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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

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