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Herbal Sewage Treatment and Polished Concrete Define a Cliffside Wellness Retreat

Author:
Thomas Hahn
Herbal Sewage Treatment and Polished Concrete Define a Cliffside Wellness Retreat
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Incorporating a herbal sewage treatment system and polished concrete, the design creates a sustainable wellness retreat on a cliff that emphasizes both community interaction and individual tranquility.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design includes a herbal sewage treatment plant for efficient water management.
02
Polished concrete surfaces enhance durability and contribute to a modern aesthetic.
03
Multi-tiered levels provide varied spatial experiences for users.
04
Outdoor green terraces integrate with the surrounding landscape.
05
The structure optimizes sunlight and shading through careful architectural geometry.

The Yogahouse on a Cliff is set against a dramatic cliffside backdrop and designed to promote wellness activities. Its purpose is to create a retreat that fosters both personal reflection and social interaction. The design fully embraces sustainable principles while ensuring that the building harmonizes with the natural landscape, emphasizing a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Spatial Organization

The building's layout focuses on organizing space around a central communal area. This arrangement encourages interaction among users and grants flexibility for various activities. The structure features three distinct levels: the Head-in-the-Sky-Level, the Find-Your-Middle-Level, and the Feet-on-the-Ground-Level. Each level offers specific experiences tailored to support diverse functions and create a comfortable environment.

Key Features

The design incorporates several key features that enhance usability. A multifunctional covered space serves as a gathering area, while utility zones ensure convenience. The building includes essential facilities such as showers, changing rooms, a kitchen, and a yoga room. These elements are arranged thoughtfully to provide an inviting atmosphere for both individual practices and group activities, further enhanced by outdoor features like filter areas and green terraces that promote interaction with nature.

Sustainable Practices

An important focus of the Yogahouse is its commitment to sustainability, highlighted by the inclusion of a herbal sewage treatment plant. This innovative solution allows for effective water management and reuse within the building. The choice of materials reflects this sustainability ethos, with polished concrete, wooden planks, and epoxy coatings selected for their durability and suitability to the environment.

Design Details

Light plays a critical role in the design, as the building’s geometry is shaped to optimize natural sunlight and provide adequate shading. This thoughtful arrangement allows light to fill the interior spaces, creating an uplifting ambiance. Such design choices enhance the experience of those using the space, making it conducive to activities centered around wellness and mindfulness. The relationship between the building and its stunning surroundings further reinforces its purpose as a place for reflection and rejuvenation.

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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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