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Herb Lab Integration with Wooden Walls in Ecotourism Guest House

Authors:
Hakjae Kim, Xie Yunfei
Herb Lab Integration with Wooden Walls in Ecotourism Guest House
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Incorporating an herb lab alongside repurposed wooden walls, the design emphasizes sustainability and community engagement within a guest house setting that invites close interactions with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates an herb lab for hands-on education about local plants.
02
Utilizes repurposed existing walls to enhance sustainability.
03
Features a meditation room positioned in the roof space for solitude.
04
Designed to promote community interaction within shared areas.
05
Focused on ecotourism, connecting guests directly with the natural environment.

The design in Ozolini, Latvia, embodies the principles of ecotourism while fostering a sense of community. Located in a serene landscape, the guest house functions as a bridge between personal space and shared areas. The design focuses on creating a strong relationship with the surroundings, inviting guests to engage with nature and one another throughout their stay.

Guest House Functionality

The building includes three guest rooms, each designed for two occupants. This arrangement promotes a mix of privacy and social interaction. A main hall serves as a communal area where guests can gather and connect. Additionally, a herb lab and a meditation room provide spaces for education and personal reflection, enhancing the overall visitor experience.



Sustainable Practices

Central to the design is the herb lab, which contains areas for drying and packing tea. This feature underscores a commitment to sustainability and educates guests about local plant life. The herb garden complements this focus, showcasing various herbs that have culinary and medicinal uses. This arrangement not only enriches the visitor experience but also encourages respect for the local ecosystem.



Adaptive Reuse Strategy

The project incorporates existing walls from the original site, reflecting an adaptive reuse strategy. By preserving three of these walls, the design minimizes material waste and retains a connection to the site's history. The overall structure is designed to fit harmoniously within the landscape, creating a thoughtful balance between new construction and the existing environment.



Meditation Space

The meditation room is placed in the roof area, offering a quiet retreat for guests. It features views of the natural surroundings, enhancing the experience of solitude and reflection. This space invites visitors to pause and appreciate the beauty of nature, reinforcing the connection between individuals and their environment.

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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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Competition organisers

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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