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Rainwater Collector Cabin with Glass Panels and Flower Altar

Author:
Maja Petrovic
Rainwater Collector Cabin with Glass Panels and Flower Altar
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Incorporating a rainwater collector alongside a flower processing altar, the cabin emphasizes elemental connections while providing a serene space for meditation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Integrates four elemental niches representing air, earth, fire, and water.
02
Rainwater collection system enhances sustainability and user experience.
03
Features a glass partition that allows sight and sound of flowing water.
04
Cabin design includes a fireplace protected by glass panels for safety.
05
Utilizes local wooden materials for construction, promoting ecological balance.

The TINY KIWI MEDITATION CABIN is located in a quiet natural setting, designed to promote spiritual and mental health. Focusing on a design concept that connects with the environment, the cabin serves as a meditation space where individuals can explore their inner thoughts while surrounded by nature.

Form and Spatial Arrangement

The building features a cubic shape that is enhanced by the merging and rotation of two cubes. This layout creates an interior meditation area with dimensions of 5.5 meters, allowing enough room for people to engage with one another and their surroundings. The design includes four niches, each representing one of the four classical elements: air, earth, fire, and water. This arrangement helps create a thoughtful space centered around these elemental themes.

Elemental Integration

The entrance signifies air with sliding glass doors, eliminating barriers and providing easy access to the outdoor surroundings. A fireplace, the only masonry element in the cabin, is located to the left of the entrance. It is shielded by glass panels, ensuring safety while offering warmth. Directly across from the entrance is a flower processing altar that symbolizes earth, designed to support the growth of herbs and deepen the connection to nature.

Building Features

The roof is designed to slope inward and is lowered on one side to capture rainwater effectively. Natural light and airflow are enhanced by upper wall windows, which allow warm air to escape, making the interior comfortable. The structure uses wooden elements that include columns, beams, and walls made from wood trunks. The flooring is covered with rattan, providing a comfortable surface suitable for meditation.

User Experience

The layout allows for four participants to sit in the corners of the meditation space, which helps them engage with the elemental themes represented. The instructor’s central position offers clear visibility, reinforcing the importance of guidance during meditation. This arrangement fosters interaction among participants and encourages an atmosphere of calmness and reflection.

The sound of flowing water from the rainwater collector enhances the experience. It adds a calming backdrop that supports a peaceful environment where individuals can focus on their meditation practice.

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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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