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Folding Shades and Spruce Wood Create a Calm Retreat Experience

Authors:
Johnny Ramos, Keenan Johnson, Fernanda Suarez
Folding Shades and Spruce Wood Create a Calm Retreat Experience
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With its folding shades and natural spruce wood construction, the cabins offer a unique retreat designed to enhance mindfulness and connection to the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integration of folding screen walls allows for maximum natural light and airflow.
02
Features a raised sleeping area to optimize floor space and enhance comfort.
03
Incorporates an innovative dry toilet system for eco-friendly functionality.
04
Design offers a 180-degree view of the surrounding landscape for immersive experiences.
05
Utilizes local materials, including spruce wood, to support sustainability and harmony with nature.

The Ozo Meditation Cabins are designed as peaceful retreats in the green surroundings of Ozolini Tea Farm in Latvia. They focus on minimalism and quietness, providing an environment where visitors can step away from their daily routines and find moments of peace. The cabins are built to connect occupants with nature, enhancing the experience through careful design elements and spatial arrangements.

Architectural Integration

The cabins prioritize a strong relationship with the landscape. Folding screen walls can be opened to allow fresh air and sunlight to enter, creating a direct link between the interior and the natural setting. This design not only enhances the atmosphere but also protects visitors from weather elements and insects. The layout encourages a sense of calm while embracing the beauty of the outdoors.

Seasonal Adaptability

Flexibility for different seasons is an important characteristic of the cabins. Vertical folding shades can be adjusted to fit varying weather conditions, providing air circulation in warm months and retaining heat in colder ones. This feature ensures comfort throughout the year, allowing the cabins to remain welcoming for meditation at all times.

Interior Organization

Inside the cabins, every space is designed with a specific purpose in mind. Storage options are cleverly incorporated to reduce clutter, creating a neat and organized atmosphere. Visitors can find a raised bed for sleeping, a dedicated area for meditation that offers a wide view of the landscape, and a built-in dry toilet system. This thoughtful organization enhances the overall experience and reinforces the focus on mindfulness.

Natural Materiality

The choice of materials reflects an aim for sustainability and harmony with nature. The construction utilizes natural spruce wood, concrete, and a metal roof, all selected to be durable and in line with the environment. The use of spruce plywood for cladding also contributes to the cabins’ aesthetic and structural strength, further connecting the buildings to their surroundings.

Set in a serene forest, the Ozo Meditation Cabins encourage individuals to engage with nature while providing a designed space to relax and reflect. Each aspect of the cabins is crafted to foster a sense of peace and mindfulness, creating an ideal setting for retreat.

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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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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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