Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Natural Stone Walls and Light Wood Structure Define a Tranquil Space for Reflection and Tea Preparation

Authors:
Colin Berg, Philippe Le Quellec
Natural Stone Walls and Light Wood Structure Define a Tranquil Space for Reflection and Tea Preparation
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Heavy stone walls and a light wood structure create a harmonious environment that facilitates tea preparation and meditation, emphasizing a deep connection to nature and the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Heavy natural stone walls provide thermal mass, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Light wood structure contrasts with stone, creating a sense of openness.
03
Direct access to a courtyard promotes integration with the outdoor environment.
04
Unique portals connect interior spaces with surrounding landscapes.
05
Designed to encourage both social interaction and quiet meditation.

The architectural design focuses on blending daily activities with moments of quiet reflection. Set in a natural landscape, it serves as a venue for tea preparation and meditation. The use of sturdy stone walls provides a strong foundation for the building while a lighter wood structure adds a sense of calmness. This design draws inspiration from Zen philosophy, particularly the term *makyō*, which means "ghost cave."

Building and Material Composition
The project features stone walls that create supportive spaces. This choice of material not only adds stability but also connects the structure to its surroundings, giving a grounded feel to the experience. The lighter wood structure wraps around the stone, facilitating a thoughtful relationship between the active and tranquil areas of the design, and encouraging interaction with the environment outside.

Spatial Organization
Inside, the layout encourages easy movement between areas designated for social engagement and quiet contemplation. Different zones are clearly separated yet maintain a sense of connection, allowing individuals to transition smoothly from the tea-making space to the meditation room. Carefully designed portals enhance visibility and create openness, inviting nature into the interior spaces.

Light and Atmosphere
Light has a significant impact on the overall experience in the building. Openings are designed to manage the flow of light, establishing a play between shadows and brightness. The walls, painted white, reflect daylight throughout the interior and help dissolve the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas. This emphasis on natural light creates an environment that prioritizes sensory experiences and fosters a connection with nature.

Outdoor Integration
Direct access from the activity space to a courtyard is a key feature of the design. This outdoor area extends living and gathering spaces, particularly suitable for the warmer months. The courtyard serves as a pathway to Bezdibene Lake, linking the structure to the surrounding natural environment. Additionally, a private terrace at the top of a heavy steel staircase offers a quieter retreat, enhancing the diverse experiences available within the setting.

The combination of stone, wood, and light leads to a design that welcomes interaction and encourages introspection, creating a strong bond with the natural landscape evident in the way sunlight shifts across the interiors throughout the day.

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