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 Retreat with Charred Timber and Thatch Roof for Meditation

Author:
Karol Kundrák
Elevated Retreat with Charred Timber and Thatch Roof for Meditation
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with charred timber and a thatched roof, the elevated cabin offers a serene setting for meditation, merging traditional Maori architectural elements with modern functionality.
5 key facts about this project
01
Built with charred timber for durability and aesthetics.
02
Features a traditional thatched roof for effective water drainage.
03
Elevated structure enhances views and connection to nature.
04
Incorporates folding shades for privacy and light control.
05
Designed to reflect Maori cultural elements in a modern context.

The Tiny Kiwi Meditation Cabin offers a peaceful space designed for meditation and reflection. Located within a beautiful landscape, it aims to provide a retreat from the stresses of everyday life. Drawing inspiration from traditional Maori houses, the cabin’s design incorporates cultural elements that create a calming atmosphere. The overall concept focuses on connecting users with both themselves and their environment.

Structural Form

The cabin features an elevated structure that enhances views of the surrounding area. This height contributes to a sense of openness and creates a space that feels tranquil. A skylight is included in the design, allowing natural light to fill the room, which adds to the peaceful experience. Large windows connect the inside of the cabin with the outside world, inviting the beauty of nature into the space.

Material Considerations

Material choices prioritize sustainability while maintaining an appealing look. Wood is the main material used in the structure, valued for its easy availability and low environmental impact. The exterior is covered with charred timber planks that resist moisture and fit well with the natural surroundings. This choice reflects a blend of traditional and modern building practices.

Interior Atmosphere

Inside, the cabin walls are finished with a lighter type of wood, which helps create a spacious and calming environment. This wood not only adds to the serene atmosphere but also improves the sound quality within the cabin. The roof uses straw thatch, a nod to Maori architecture, which effectively directs water away from the building. Such choices respect cultural heritage while providing practical solutions for climate challenges.

Functional Design Features

The cabin also includes a system of folding shades that allow for privacy when needed. Users can control the amount of light that enters the space, balancing the desire for openness with the need for solitude. This thoughtful design makes the cabin adaptable to different situations, ensuring it serves its purpose well as a sanctuary for meditation.

The overall design blends traditional forms with contemporary needs. A notable detail is the gently sloping roof, which draws the eye upward and creates a connection to the sky. This architectural choice reflects the cabin’s intention as a place for mindfulness and self-reflection, encouraging a deep sense of calm and awareness.

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
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
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
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 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
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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
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

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