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Reflective Cabins with Triple Glass and Mindful Design

Authors:
Jan-hubert Bisschops, Merijn Hermsen
Reflective Cabins with Triple Glass and Mindful Design
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Constructed with triple glass and toughened surfaces, the design integrates reflective cabins that prioritize privacy and mindfulness in their serene forest setting, facilitating focused meditation and self-reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective surfaces enhance privacy while maintaining a connection to the forest.
02
Triple glass construction maximizes natural light and thermal efficiency.
03
Cabins are designed for specific functions, promoting mindfulness and ritual.
04
Strategic placement encourages uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.
05
Infrared heating solutions integrate seamlessly within the minimalist design.

The project 'ON REFLECTION' is designed to create a living space that connects its occupants with nature. Set in a calm landscape, it consists of four cabins, each serving specific functions related to meditation and self-reflection. The overall design emphasizes simplicity and purpose, encouraging people to engage thoughtfully with their environment while incorporating mindfulness into daily routines.

Cabin Design

Each cabin fulfills a particular role aimed at fostering a reflective lifestyle. Cabin A functions as a bedroom and meditation space, providing comfort and tranquility. Cabin B is designed for showering and meditation, while Cabin C serves as both a kitchen and workspace. Cabin D also accommodates showering and meditation. This clear division of spaces supports a seamless flow from one activity to another, urging individuals to be mindful of their actions throughout the day.

Material Utilization

The design incorporates extensive glass, which plays a key role in both aesthetics and functionality. Triple glass is used throughout the structure, offering insulation and maximizing natural light, creating a warm, inviting interior. The inner shell consists of toughened and transparent glass, providing strength and a clear sightline to the exterior. Toughened mirror glass also features prominently, meeting privacy needs while still engaging with the surrounding landscape.

Spatial Experience

The careful placement of cabins ensures unobstructed views of the environment, engaging residents with the scenery around them. Transparency and reflection are used thoughtfully, allowing the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces to blur. This encourages a constant relationship with nature, where light and shadow change throughout the day, enhancing the experience of living there.

Attention to detail is evident in the design, from the arrangement of furniture to the warmth provided by crystal clear infrared radiators. This choice of heating supports a minimalist approach while ensuring comfort for the occupants. Overall, the design cultivates an atmosphere that promotes mindfulness and reflection, allowing residents to immerse themselves fully in their surroundings.

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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.

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