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Exploring Community Through Wood Panels and Natural Light

Authors:
Daniela Arango, Daniel Blanco, Mateo Soto, Carolina Upegui
Exploring Community Through Wood Panels and Natural Light
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With modular visitor cabins framed by wood panels that maximize natural light, the design fosters a communal environment centered around tea production and reflection within a diverse landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins are designed with modular sections to adapt to varying site conditions.
02
A grid system organizes the layout, enhancing spatial relationships between elements.
03
Natural light is maximized through large glass panels, blurring indoor and outdoor boundaries.
04
The project promotes community through shared bathrooms and interactive pathways.
05
Tea workshops are integrated into the barn, creating a functional hub for learning and gathering.

The design is set in a diverse landscape featuring forest clearings, rocky terrains, and open grass areas. It seeks to explore the connection between the natural environment and built structures. The layout is organized around a grid system, which helps create a friendly space for both community engagement and personal reflection. The idea of tea culture is central to the design, influencing both its form and functions.

Core Elements of the Design

At the heart of the design are two significant structures: the barn and the concept living room. These elements are placed strategically at the forest clear and lakeshore, acting as key gathering points for visitors. The barn is dedicated to tea production and associated activities, while the living room offers a place for communal gatherings focused on enjoying tea and quiet contemplation.

Modular Visitor Cabins

Small modular cabins serve as accommodations for visitors, allowing for a thoughtful integration of living spaces within the surrounding landscape. Each cabin features distinct sections that can be arranged in flexible ways to meet different needs. The inclusion of shared bathrooms and clearly defined paths encourages interaction among guests, establishing a sense of community and enhancing the overall experience.

Architectural Interventions

Throughout the site, well-placed architectural features create varied experiences that resonate with the landscape. Platforms extend over bodies of water, providing places for quiet reflection while maintaining connections to the beautiful surroundings. These transitional spaces are carefully designed, making it easy for visitors to move from intimate to larger gathering areas.

Materials and Textural Elements

The design features specific materials, including wood panels used in the framing of the cabins. This choice enhances warmth and durability. Glass panels are incorporated to allow plenty of natural light, helping to connect interior spaces with the outdoor environment. Additionally, hanging linen fabric is utilized, offering versatility in design and creating a welcoming atmosphere in both cabins and public areas. The softening of light enhances the feeling of comfort across the project.

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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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