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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 Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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