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Floating Glass Structure Embracing Natural Wood in a Tranquil Retreat

Authors:
Néstor Mancini, Mariana Perujo, Cristian Silvestri, Gabriel Sottile
Floating Glass Structure Embracing Natural Wood in a Tranquil Retreat
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A floating glass structure rests above the landscape, its wooden framework reflecting organic forms while offering a serene space for meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating design integrates with the landscape, allowing vegetation to thrive underneath.
02
Three segmented roof sections provide unobstructed views of the surrounding forest.
03
Wooden structure reflects organic forms, enhancing the connection to nature.
04
Elevated pathway guides visitors from nature into a meditative space.
05
Extensive glass elements create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor environments.

The meditation cabin showcases an approach to design that values connection with nature while providing a space for reflection and calm. Located within a sanctuary, the cabin becomes part of a larger story. It serves as a place for visitors to pause, offering a peaceful environment that encourages quiet contemplation and mindfulness.

Design Concept

The concept focuses on the experience of arriving at the cabin. Visitors walk along an elevated pathway that gently hugs the natural slope of the land. This creates a transition from the outside world to a space suitable for meditation. Familiar elements, like the gabled roof, create a comforting atmosphere that resonates with past visits to similar retreats.

Structural Approach

The structure rises from the ground on minimal supports, allowing the surrounding plants to thrive underneath. This design choice integrates the cabin into its environment, emphasizing the connection between built form and nature. The roof is designed with three sections that provide views of the forest through glass panels. This opens the space, letting in light and offering glimpses of the landscape outside.

Materiality and Aesthetic

The cabin primarily uses wood, an appropriate choice that mirrors the shapes found in nature, such as trees and branches. This material supports the structure while enhancing its links to the site. Glass is also a prominent feature, allowing those inside to experience the surroundings while providing protection. The glass section appears to hover within the wooden structure, creating contrast in a simple yet effective way.

Spatial Dynamics

The layout brings together two distinct elements that enhance the experience. The organic curves of the wooden structure meet the sharp lines of the glass box. This creates a balance that encourages visitors to reflect on their surroundings. The design invites people to engage with the cabin as well as the landscape, fostering a sense of harmony. This delicate balance between openness and shelter allows users to find peace in a thoughtfully designed space.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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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