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Natural Clay and Hay Retreat with Integrated Green Roofing

Authors:
Linnea Evehag, Nicklas Fälldin
Natural Clay and Hay Retreat with Integrated Green Roofing
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Constructed primarily from clay and hay, the retreat emphasizes sustainability with its green roofing while providing a serene space for reflection and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using local clay and hay to ensure sustainability.
02
Features a green roof that enhances biodiversity and air quality.
03
Designed to blend with the landscape while minimizing visual impact.
04
Interior layout promotes both privacy and communal interaction.
05
Soft furnishings replace traditional seating for a more inviting atmosphere.

The Hay & Clay Hut is a natural bohemian cabin set against a beautiful landscape that encourages a close relationship between architecture and nature. Designed to provide a comfortable and inviting space, the hut blends a cozy hotel-like interior with the outdoor environment. Its approach is thoughtful, taking into account the needs of the users and the context of its location, making it a place for reflection and relaxation.

Layout and User Interaction

Inside the hut, the layout is created to promote both personal peace and social interaction. A central wall divides private areas from shared spaces, with sliding doors that make it easy to adapt the space as needed. This design allows for a flexible flow between public and private areas, enabling visitors and therapists to move comfortably throughout. The use of soft seating, like pillows and blankets, enhances the atmosphere, fostering a warm and inviting environment consistent with the bohemian design style.

Exterior Integration

The design of the exterior aims to keep the natural landscape intact while ensuring the hut fits well with its surroundings. The structures are placed in a way that maximizes views, while maintaining a lower profile along the walking paths. This careful placement minimizes visual interruptions, allowing visitors to focus on the beauty of nature around them. The overall design reinforces a connection to the environment, creating an experience that celebrates the site’s natural features.

Materiality and Sustainability

To promote sustainability, the project makes use of materials sourced locally and aligned with traditional building practices. Timber creates the main framework of the hut, while clay is used as plaster on the exterior walls, offering both a pleasing appearance and practical advantages. Hay serves as insulation, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures inside the cabin. These material choices not only support ecological goals but also align with local architectural traditions to create a sense of place.

Natural Elements and Features

Incorporating eco-friendly design elements, the Hay & Clay Hut features a green roof that encourages plant growth and supports local wildlife. This design aspect not only helps improve air quality but also highlights a commitment to environmental responsibility. The roof design, along with effective rainwater management, shows an intent to lessen environmental effects while enhancing the appearance of the hut itself.

A winding pathway leads to the hut, lined with thoughtfully placed landscaping that creates a calm and inviting journey. This enhances the overall experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature before reaching their destination.

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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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