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Openable Façade Cabin Framed with Wood and Glass in a Forested Retreat

Author:
Viktoria Schüle
Openable Façade Cabin Framed with Wood and Glass in a Forested Retreat
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An openable façade crafted from glass and wood creates a seamless blend between indoor comfort and the surrounding forest, providing a tranquil retreat designed for relaxation and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Openable glass façade enhances natural light and views while maintaining privacy.
02
Sliding walls allow for flexible space reconfiguration to suit different activities.
03
Designed with an elevated structure to integrate seamlessly with the forest landscape.
04
Uses locally sourced wood for the main structure, reinforcing ecological sustainability.
05
Central fireplace serves as a communal gathering point within the natural surroundings.

The design of the cabin showcases a thoughtful integration with its natural surroundings, emphasizing a theme of retreat and connection to the environment. Inspired by the imagery of a path through a forest, the cabin reflects the shapes of tree trunks and the delicate quality of fog. These elements create a sense of tranquility, offering a space for relaxation and deeper engagement with nature.

Structural Form and Façade

The cabin features an elevated design supported by a distinct structure. The openable façade enhances the connection between indoor and outdoor areas, while also ensuring privacy from neighboring buildings. This semi-transparent façade allows light to flow into the space, balancing brightness with comfort and a sense of seclusion.

Spatial Organization

The interior layout is divided into five key areas: a corridor, a bathroom, a kitchen, a bedroom with built-in storage, and a relaxation space. This arrangement encourages flexibility, allowing the sliding walls to adapt the space based on the occupants’ needs. The design promotes an easy movement between these areas, making it suitable for various activities.

Materiality and Environment

Materials are chosen with care, emphasizing local sources and natural characteristics. Wood is the primary material used throughout, reinforcing the theme of connection with the surroundings. Aluminum components contribute to the structure's durability while offering a modern touch. Large glass panels enhance natural light and showcase views, deepening the bond between the cabin and the landscape.

Pathway and Lighting

The pathway to the cabin is designed to enhance the experience of being in nature. It guides visitors smoothly from the parking area to the cabin and its surrounding water. A central fireplace brings people together, encouraging social interactions. For lighting, a wooden shell conceals LED fixtures, creating a soft glow that complements the cabin’s warm atmosphere during evenings.

The cabin's openable façade invites not just views, but also the sounds and scents of the natural environment, creating a space where indoor comfort meets the beauty of the outdoors.

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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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