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Pine-Framed Retreat Featuring Herb Blending and Light-Filled Spaces

Author:
Soo-hyun Kim
Pine-Framed Retreat Featuring Herb Blending and Light-Filled Spaces
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A glass-walled attic offers unobstructed views of the sky, while pine and birch materials create a calming retreat designed for herb blending and relaxation in nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Pine wood framing is used for structural integrity while enhancing warmth.
02
Folding doors connect guest rooms to private terraces, merging indoor and outdoor spaces.
03
Skylight ceilings bring natural light deep into the building's core.
04
Herb blending sessions are incorporated as part of the wellness experience.
05
The design features void spaces that enhance natural ventilation throughout.

The project focuses on integrating natural elements within a built space, aiming to create an environment that encourages well-being and mindful interactions with nature. Designed as a retreat, it offers a place for visitors to disconnect from urban life. The overall goal is to create an atmosphere where indoor and outdoor areas blend together, helping people connect more closely with their surroundings.

Spatial Organization

An open and flexible layout characterizes the design. The use of folding doors, louvers, and shades replaces traditional walls. This choice fosters a connection between inside and outside, allowing visitors to experience the environment more fully. The arrangement supports communal activities while also providing private areas. This balance makes the space adaptable for a range of visitor experiences.

Light and Environment

Natural light plays a crucial role in the architecture, particularly through large skylight ceilings that extend into the middle floor. This feature brings ample sunlight into the interiors and creates a sense of spaciousness. Void spaces ensure sunlight reaches various areas, promoting a calm and inviting atmosphere throughout the space. The thoughtful placement of windows enhances the visual connection to the outside.

Guest Accommodations

The design of the guest rooms focuses on privacy while maintaining a relationship with the landscape. Each room has folding doors that lead to private terraces, allowing guests to step outside easily. This arrangement invites moments of relaxation and encourages enjoyment of the natural surroundings. Additionally, the glass wall in the attic provides unobstructed views of the sky, connecting guests with the natural world above them.

Material Palette

A careful selection of materials reflects the local environment. Pine wood is used for the framework and facade, giving a warm and welcoming feel while ensuring stability. White brick enhances the facade's ability to reflect light, contributing to a bright and airy aesthetic. Birch wood is chosen for the furnishings, complementing the overall brightness of the interiors. Stone walls add texture and strength to the design, grounding the structure within its setting.

The thoughtful integration of light and nature creates spaces that encourage reflection and appreciation of the environment, illustrating a careful response to the need for calm and restorative settings.

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

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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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