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Gabion Walls and Cobblestone Retreats Offering Meditative Spaces

Authors:
Daniel Kassel, Samuel Palacio
Gabion Walls and Cobblestone Retreats Offering Meditative Spaces
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Constructed with gabion walls and local cobblestones, these cabins create intimate meditative spaces that engage the surrounding landscape while promoting wellness and tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with local cobblestones, the gabion walls enhance stability and integrate with the environment.
02
Each cabin features flexible furnishings for various wellness treatments, promoting adaptability for different uses.
03
The meditative spaces are oriented to optimize views of the surrounding valley for deeper connection to nature.
04
An entryway framed by lush planting creates a welcoming threshold for visitors.
05
Tiered retaining walls harmonize with the site's topography, reinforcing the natural landscape.

The Balasana cabins offer a well-considered approach to creating a retreat within a sloped landscape. The design aims to connect visitors with nature while promoting wellness and tranquility. The overall concept emphasizes a harmonious relationship between the structures and their surroundings, creating spaces that encourage reflection and relaxation.

Site Integration

The cabins are positioned thoughtfully to match the slope of the terrain. Gabion walls filled with local cobblestones serve both stability and aesthetic purposes. These walls follow the contours of the land, enhancing the visual connection between the buildings and the existing landscape. This technique respects the natural features already present, ensuring that the cabins feel a part of their environment.

Functional Layout

Each cabin has three main areas: the entryway, meditative space, and terrace. The entryway acts as a welcoming point, offering a smooth transition into the calming environment inside. It is framed with greenery that greets visitors as they arrive. The meditative space is oriented to take advantage of views over the valley, allowing guests to feel immersed in the landscape while engaging in wellness activities.

Meditative Experience

The design of the meditative spaces supports various wellness practices. Ample room is provided for activities such as massages. A massage table can be easily stored, maintaining a flexible environment. Thoughtfully placed lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, encouraging relaxation and a sense of well-being.

Terrace Connection

The terrace plays a key role, providing open views of the valley. It invites visitors to step outside, reinforcing the aim of creating a calm sanctuary. This outdoor area enhances the experience of being close to nature, allowing moments of contemplation and connection.

The exterior walls made of gabion serve as both structure and texture, linking the cabins closely with their setting in a simple yet effective manner.

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

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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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