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Façade Cutouts and Biophilic Design Enhance Natural Light in a Modern Home Crafted from Layered Wood and Concrete

Façade Cutouts and Biophilic Design Enhance Natural Light in a Modern Home Crafted from Layered Wood and Concrete
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Patterned cutouts in the façade allow light to dance across the interior, while the thoughtful integration of concrete and layered wood creates a modern dwelling that seamlessly connects with its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Patterned cutouts in the façade create dynamic light patterns throughout the day.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels enhance structural stability while minimizing waste.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide a protective layer that blends with the environment.
04
A bent A-frame design optimizes space and enhances natural ventilation.
05
The integration of an indoor atrium fosters biophilic connections to nature.

**Overview**

The House of Shadows is a residential design situated in a natural setting, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow through its architectural forms. The project seeks to create a dynamic dialogue between the built environment and its surroundings, while exploring the relationship between natural light and living spaces. Strategically designed, the house enhances both atmosphere and functionality, responding to the historical human endeavor to manipulate light as a fundamental aspect of architecture.

**Exterior Design and Materiality**

The façade of the House of Shadows is distinguished by a pattern of cutouts that facilitate shifting light dynamics throughout the day. This design approach transforms the exterior into an active canvas, resulting in a vibrant interplay of light and shadow. The structural composition combines solid and void elements to create a visually engaging profile, while also allowing for integration with the natural landscape.

Material choices play a significant role in the design's aesthetic and functional qualities. Concrete provides structural integrity, while wood offers warmth and texture, resonating with the surrounding environment. Extensive glass surfaces promote transparency and maximize views, enriching the connection with nature. Decorative metal elements enhance both utility and visual interest, contributing to the overall contemporary expression of the residence.

**Spatial Organization and User Experience**

The interior layout is carefully designed to optimize natural light and spatial relationships. A grand foyer and functional hallways connect various areas of the home, inviting movement and exploration. The open-concept kitchen and living area foster social interaction and relaxation, enhanced by large windows that bring in ambient light. Additionally, an atrium features an indoor garden, serving as a visual focal point that merges external nature with the interior environment.

A specialized lighting strategy further enhances the living experience. Fixtures are thoughtfully positioned to enrich the functionality and aesthetics of the space, while the interplay of light on textured surfaces creates varied atmospheres throughout the day. The patterns cast by the façade add an evolving complexity to the interior ambiance, ultimately enriching the inhabitant's connection to their surroundings.

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Enter an open architecture
competition now

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 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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3

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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