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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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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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