Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Meditative Cabins with Clay Plaster and Spruce Cladding in Natural Harmony

Authors:
Jan Tomas Cieśla, Martina Košařová, Tadeáš Hlaváček
Meditative Cabins with Clay Plaster and Spruce Cladding in Natural Harmony
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with clay plaster and spruce cladding, the cabins offer a serene environment for meditation, blending seamlessly into the forest while embodying principles of sacred geometry.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with clay plaster for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Features a green roof that integrates with the surrounding environment.
03
Incorporates sacred geometry as a foundational design principle.
04
Cabins emphasize minimal distractions to promote deep meditation.
05
Strategic placement allows for natural light and forest views.

The project focuses on the creation of meditative cabins located within a forested area. It aims to provide spaces for silent meditation, offering tranquility and an opportunity for mental clarity. Inspired by sacred geometry, the design incorporates symbols like the Mandala of Life, Seed of Life, and Vesica Piscis. These elements influence the layout and enhance the experiences of those using the cabins. The placement of each cabin is done with care to reduce distractions, allowing individuals to better connect with both their inner selves and the natural environment around them.

Conceptual Framework

Sacred geometry serves as the backbone of the design concept. The symbols used throughout the project are more than decorative; they guide the entire layout and create a meaningful connection to the users. The Mandala and Seed of Life represent unity and the essence of creation, further enriching the environment. This philosophical base encourages users to focus on reflection and mindfulness, fostering a deeper state of meditation.

Materials and Sustainability

Attention to materials is an important aspect of the design. Spruce cladding is used on the cabin facades, helping to harmonize the buildings with the surrounding trees. Clay plaster is applied to the interior walls, offering a natural feel and smooth texture. Spruce plywood is selected for structural elements, delivering both durability and warmth to the spaces. By choosing these materials, the design emphasizes a strong connection to nature and supports the overall calm atmosphere.

Functional Layout

Inside each cabin, various spaces are designed to facilitate meditation and daily activities. The layout includes dedicated meditation areas, sleeping quarters, and essential facilities such as a kitchen and dry storage. This arrangement aims to keep the space organized and free from clutter, allowing users to focus on their meditation practice. Features such as green roofs and rooflights are also part of the design, which not only enhance energy efficiency but also bring natural light into the indoor spaces.

Aesthetics and Environment

The overall appearance of the cabins reflects a simple and minimal approach. Smooth edges and a thoughtful relationship with the landscape create a sense of peace. The interplay of light and shadow from the rooflights adds visual interest, drawing the occupants’ gaze toward the outdoors. Natural sounds, like birds chirping and leaves rustling, create an immersive experience that enhances the atmosphere, making the cabins suitable for contemplation and relaxation.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy