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Glazed Retreats Overlooking a Serene Ravine

Authors:
Tomas Esteban Pont Apostolo, Julio Ignacio Paez, Mauro Andres Alasino
Glazed Retreats Overlooking a Serene Ravine
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With mobile glazed panels that enhance light and connectivity, the cabins are skillfully integrated into a ravine landscape, providing a tranquil retreat dedicated to meditation and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cabins utilize mobile glazed panels for flexible indoor-outdoor transitions.
02
A unique bent A-frame design integrates with the site's topography.
03
Sustainable energy is sourced from an on-site photovoltaic farm.
04
Rainwater harvesting system enhances ecological efficiency.
05
The layout promotes both communal interaction and personal solitude.

The Vale de Moses Meditation Cabins project is set in a distinctive natural landscape, designed to encourage reflection and tranquility. Its overall design concept focuses on creating a strong connection between the built environment and the surrounding nature. The architecture invites occupants to explore their inner selves while being present in the landscape around them.

Design Concept

The main idea behind the cabins is that observing nature allows for deeper self-reflection. This concept shapes the design, aiming to develop spaces that inspire contemplation and connection. A simple roof structure extends gracefully from the ravine, providing communal areas for gathering and offering shelters for individual retreats. This thoughtful arrangement balances the need for social interaction and personal solitude.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout features an internal circuit that organizes the cabins according to the natural shape of the ravine. Visitors move through two separate pathways—one for communal activities and the other leading privately to the cabins. This design creates a balance between shared experiences and moments of solitude, encouraging exploration of both the environment and personal reflection.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability is a key focus of the design, with a strong emphasis on minimizing material and energy use. The building process is streamlined to avoid the need for specialized machinery, supporting eco-friendly practices in architecture. Mobile glazed panels form the boundary between the inside and outside, allowing flexibility in response to weather conditions while promoting natural light and airflow.

Energy and Water Infrastructure

The project includes a rainwater reservoir and a photovoltaic farm, establishing a self-supportive system for both water and energy needs. This thoughtful design not only supports environmental sustainability but also improves the functionality of the cabins, meeting user needs while respecting the natural landscape. The integration of these features highlights a commitment to environmental responsibility, creating a space that harmonizes with nature.

Each cabin expresses a clear relationship with its surroundings. The design emphasizes transitions between inside and outside, maintaining a balance that supports both comfort and connection to nature. Careful attention to detail—from the roof's design to the interaction of light within the spaces—illustrates a focus on providing a welcoming environment that enriches the experience of those who visit.

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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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