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Meditation Space Surrounded by Charred Wood and Oiled Pine

Author:
Mateusz Bartczak
Meditation Space Surrounded by Charred Wood and Oiled Pine
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A circular meditation garden anchored by a tall pine tree and framed by charred wood and warm, oiled pine creates a serene environment for yoga and mindfulness practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
The building incorporates an engawa, enhancing the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.
02
A unique meditation garden features a pine tree rising through the floor, creating a focal point for reflection.
03
The use of yaki-sugi charred wood provides durability and a distinctive aesthetic.
04
Significant thermal buffers are created by leaving large areas of the structure uninsulated.
05
The design includes a large deck that separates communal spaces from areas for yoga and meditation.

The design features a long, slender shape that effectively uses an oblong site while directing its broadside towards the southwest. This orientation takes advantage of the sun's path, enhancing energy efficiency throughout the year. As a yoga house, it emphasizes a connection with nature and encourages introspection, creating a harmonious relationship between indoor spaces and the outdoors.

Circulation and Spatial Organization
The layout includes an engawa along one side, functioning as a walkway that allows easy access to all rooms. This traditional element of Japanese architecture connects the indoors with the outdoors, enhancing the experience for users. At the far end, a meditation garden provides a peaceful destination, inviting moments of quiet reflection.

Thermal Zones and Structure
The design incorporates areas with different thermal characteristics. By leaving large portions of the structure uninsulated, it creates a pavilion-like effect. Heating is concentrated in communal spaces, ensuring a comfortable environment throughout. The building appears to float above the ground, especially on the northern side, with metal columns supported by small point foundations that minimize excavation.

Material Application and Façade
The exterior features charred wood planks treated through the yaki-sugi method, which helps protect the wood while offering a unique visual appeal. This approach complements the surrounding landscape. Inside, warm, oiled pine is used for floors, walls, and ceilings, adding a sense of warmth and comfort to the space.

Interior Details and Unique Features
A large deck area serves as a social space for relaxation and interaction, strategically placed apart from yoga and meditation rooms. As visitors enter, they encounter a tranquil zen garden, where gravel abstractly represents water, enhancing sensory experiences. At the core, a circular meditation garden centers around a tall pine tree that rises through an opening in the floor, creating a focal point that invites contemplation and peace.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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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