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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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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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