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Rammed Earth Walls and Cork Flooring in a Wellness Retreat Setting

Authors:
Christopher Green, Anika Schaefer, Matthew Green
Rammed Earth Walls and Cork Flooring in a Wellness Retreat Setting
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Rammed earth walls and cork flooring create a sensory-rich wellness retreat that fosters a deep connection with nature while promoting community engagement and sustainable living practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth walls enhance thermal mass and natural insulation.
02
An aromatic garden features plants known for their essential oils.
03
Gabion retaining walls utilize local stone for stability and aesthetics.
04
Community kitchen garden supports small-scale sustainable food production.
05
Mandala studio design encourages mindfulness and physical engagement.

The design showcases a thoughtful connection to its natural surroundings while prioritizing both functionality and sustainability. Located against the hillside, the project functions as a wellness retreat and encourages a strong link between the built space and the landscape. It aims to enhance user experience by emphasizing sensory engagement, community areas, and ecological responsibility.

Aromatic Pathway

A central feature is the pathway that leads to the main building, lined with various plants such as lavender, sage, and mint. These aromatic plants are strategically chosen to appeal to visitors' senses, inviting them into an environment that promotes well-being. The pathway serves not only as a means of access but also as a deliberate design element that allows individuals to connect more deeply with nature.

Garden and Sustainability

At its core lies a kitchen garden designed for the small-scale cultivation of vegetables and herbs. This feature encourages self-sufficiency and enables occupants to partake in food production. By integrating this garden into the design, the relationship between daily activities and the surrounding landscape is reinforced, supporting the overall theme of sustainability.

Structural Integrity

The retaining wall system incorporates gabion cages filled with local rock and stone taken from the site. This choice addresses the need for landscape stabilization while ensuring that the structure aligns with its environment. Using locally sourced materials highlights the project's commitment to environmental care and allows for a smooth transition between the constructed areas and the natural surroundings.

Spatial Organization

The Mandala studio is a key aspect of the design, providing distinct areas for movement and meditation. This multifunctional room includes both earth and sky salutations, promoting a holistic approach to wellness. Careful attention is paid to the orientation of the studio to maximize natural light and airflow. This gives occupants a way to enjoy the environment while benefiting from a calm space intended for reflection and practice.

A final design detail includes the combination of rammed earth walls and cork flooring. The use of local soil in the rammed earth construction provides thermal mass and insulation, while cork serves to absorb sound, creating a quieter environment inside. This choice of materials firmly ties the building to its location and enhances the user experience by creating a comfortable atmosphere.

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Enter an open architecture
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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

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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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
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