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Floating Wooden Shelter Enhanced by Skylights for Meditative Retreat

Authors:
Bartosz Matuszek, Ewelina Bugajewicz, Nastassia Lupach, Azat Dzhunushev
Floating Wooden Shelter Enhanced by Skylights for Meditative Retreat
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A floating wooden shelter incorporates a sloping roof and large skylights, creating a serene environment for meditation while harmonizing with the surrounding forest.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating roof design enhances the structure's integration with the forest.
02
Features a multifunctional staircase that incorporates hidden storage.
03
Large triangular windows provide expansive views of the natural surroundings.
04
Built from wood and mineral wool for optimal insulation and warmth.
05
Designed specifically for meditation, promoting tranquility and reflection.

The design presents a small shelter inspired by traditional Latvian house roof shapes, set within a calm forest environment. It functions as a space dedicated to meditation, focusing on simplicity and clarity to create a peaceful atmosphere. The concept emphasizes the blend of practical elements with natural beauty, allowing users to connect with their surroundings while engaging in mindfulness practices.

Form and Aesthetic

The shelter features a distinct sloping roof that acts as both protection and a visual centerpiece within the landscape. The roof appears to float above the ground, enhancing the surrounding trees and offering a light quality that encourages relaxation. Large windows allow ample natural light, creating a connection to the forest outside. This design aspect enriches the meditative experience by providing views of nature.

Materiality

Wood is the primary material used throughout the structure, seen in the cladding, construction, and interior finishing. This choice emphasizes the relationship between the building and its natural environment, creating a warm and inviting look. The wooden elements contribute to a sense of comfort, aligning with the shelter’s purpose as a quiet retreat for reflection.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the layout reflects an efficient and straightforward approach, incorporating multifunctional elements that make the best use of available space. A central staircase plays a key role in the design, dividing the interior into areas for sleeping, cooking, and meditation. The staircase has four levels, each serving a distinct purpose while maintaining an open feel that caters to various user activities.

Functional Details

Practical storage solutions are designed into the structure, using drawers within the staircase steps to keep the space organized. The kitchen area, located on the third level, is straightforward and functional, featuring a burner hidden beneath a foldable wooden cover. This design maximizes the usable area. The largest staircase step is dedicated to meditation and faces a large triangular window that opens to views of the forest, inviting the peacefulness of nature into the shelter.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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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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