Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Pine Structures Elevated over Nature with Polystyrene Insulation for Reflective Meditation

Authors:
Jun Hao, Xuran Zhang, Shuyun Bao
Pine Structures Elevated over Nature with Polystyrene Insulation for Reflective Meditation
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
An "S" shaped cabin, raised for both environmental protection and wildlife shelter, utilizes pine and polystyrene to create distinct meditation spaces that foster a deep connection with the surrounding forest.
5 key facts about this project
01
An "S" shaped wall enhances engagement with the forest environment.
02
The cabin is raised to provide shelter for local wildlife.
03
Furniture is integrated into the walls to maximize space efficiency.
04
Polystyrene insulation ensures thermal comfort in varying climates.
05
Solar panels support energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.

Surrounded by the forests of Latvia, the meditation cabin offers a connection to nature through its thoughtful design. It is built primarily for reflection and contemplation, featuring an "S" shaped wall that encourages interaction with the landscape. The design concept promotes ecological mutualism, highlighting the importance of coexistence between human activities and wildlife.

Form and Geometry

The “S” shape of the cabin influences how it relates to its environment and the users within it. This unique form allows for various experiences in the space, creating specific areas for meditation that enhance sensory connections to the forest. Large windows are carefully placed to capture natural light, ensuring that the users can enjoy views of the surrounding trees and landscapes throughout the day.



Spatial Organization

The layout of the cabin is designed to facilitate different modes of living and meditation. Furniture is strategically integrated into the walls, optimizing space and creating a clean environment. Multiple meditation zones are established, enabling users to immerse themselves in nature from different vantage points, whether they prefer the expansive views offered by the south-facing windows or the quiet surrounds near the north windows.



Sustainability and Materials

Sustainability plays a key role in the overall design, reflected in both material choices and construction practices. The cabin utilizes pine wood boards and wood keels, which not only enhance its natural look but also provide necessary structural support. Polystyrene insulation is installed to ensure that the space remains comfortable throughout the changing seasons. Additionally, solar panels and a rainwater collection system help maintain the cabin’s function while reducing its environmental impact.



Design Details

The structure is raised off the ground, which offers several benefits. It protects local wildlife from harsh weather and reduces snow accumulation around the building during winter. An innovative toilet system that does not rely on traditional plumbing also highlights the focus on eco-friendly solutions. The combination of intentional shape, organized spaces, and selected materials creates a calm environment for reflection. This design effectively supports a relationship with nature, inviting visitors to appreciate their surroundings in a meaningful way.

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 Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
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
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
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
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 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
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 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