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Perforated Terracotta Facades and Timber Retreats for Mindful Healing

Authors:
Molly Jacobs, Bailey Bernheine
Perforated Terracotta Facades and Timber Retreats for Mindful Healing
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Perforated terracotta façades and heavy timber structures create a serene environment for holistic healing practices in a retreat designed for meditation and wellness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Perforated terracotta façades enhance natural ventilation while providing aesthetic warmth.
02
Rooftop meditation gardens create a direct connection with the surrounding forest landscape.
03
Heavy timber frames reflect local building traditions and ensure structural durability.
04
Self-sustaining features include solar panels and greywater recycling systems.
05
Access points are designed with painted stucco staircases that echo local architectural colors.

The Vale de Moses meditation cabin project is located on a hillside, surrounded by a rich forest landscape. It serves as a retreat focusing on wellness through various healing practices, such as massage, acupuncture, energy healing, and yoga. The design concept emphasizes both introspection and an engagement with nature, creating spaces that promote calmness and connection to the environment.

Spatial Organization

The meditation huts are arranged thoughtfully to support both individual reflection and group activities. Each hut acts as a peaceful space, encouraging users to engage in mindfulness. The design allows for a natural flow between the huts and the surrounding landscape, enhancing the overall experience and contributing to the retreat’s purpose.

Sustainable Design Elements

Rooftop meditation gardens are key to the project, highlighting sustainability and a deep respect for nature. These gardens visually connect with the environment, strengthening the relationship between architecture and its surroundings. The use of solar panels for energy and greywater systems for water management further supports modern ecological practices.

Materiality and Aesthetics

The choice of materials is important for achieving the desired atmosphere. The façades are made of perforated terracotta, allowing for natural ventilation and improved thermal comfort. Heavy timber framing contributes warmth to the interior while connecting with local building traditions. The combination of these materials creates a cohesive look that ties the structures to their natural setting.

Access and Interaction

Access to the meditation huts is facilitated by painted stucco staircases, which encourage movement between different levels. These staircases serve both functional and aesthetic purposes, reflecting local architectural styles through their colors. As visitors approach the rooftop gardens, the design details enhance their experience in this tranquil setting.

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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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