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Schist and Wood Integration for Mindful Yoga Practice

Authors:
Tiago Leite, Gonçalo Dias, Ricardo Alves, Manuel Mota
Schist and Wood Integration for Mindful Yoga Practice
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The careful arrangement of schist and wood creates a modular space that promotes introspection and community engagement, facilitating a tranquil environment for yoga practice.
5 key facts about this project
01
Adjacent kitchen fosters community engagement post-yoga sessions.
02
Modular components adapt to the site's natural topography and features.
03
Large windows maximize natural light and views of the surrounding forest.
04
Sustainable material choice minimizes environmental impact and enhances connection to nature.
05
Design integrates water features to enrich the sensory experience.

The project creates a yoga room in a natural landscape, emphasizing the connection between built spaces and the environment. A quiet setting encourages reflection and mental peace, which are key for those who practice yoga. The design seeks to enhance the landscape while ensuring its natural charm remains undisturbed.

Modular Design Approach

A modular design is at the center of the layout, allowing for flexible arrangements of different elements across the site. Each piece is carefully placed in relation to the existing landscape, which creates a variety of spaces for different activities. This arrangement supports movement and interaction, marking paths for walking and areas for yoga practice and personal reflection, all while maintaining respect for the environment.

Material Selection

Materials are chosen with care, focusing on sustainability and fitting in with the local context. Wood and schist are the main materials used. Wood adds warmth and a direct connection to nature, while schist is a natural stone grounding the structure in its geological setting. This thoughtful approach to materials encourages a pleasant sensory experience for those who use the space.

Spatial Configuration

The yoga room has a stable rectangular shape that is both practical and user-friendly. Large windows connect the indoor space to the outside, filling it with natural light and offering views of the serene landscape. These elements play an important role in fostering an atmosphere suitable for meditation and wellness practices, highlighting the bond between the architecture and its natural surroundings.

Integration of Communal Spaces

A kitchen area is placed next to the yoga room to encourage social interaction after sessions. This connection promotes a sense of community, allowing participants to share experiences and build relationships in a friendly atmosphere. The kitchen includes storage and utility spaces that blend quietly into the design, supporting a communal spirit and shared function.

The roof over the kitchen extends outward, framing beautiful views of the surrounding area. Rainwater flows gently from the roof and creates soft sounds as it meets a nearby lake. This design detail enhances the atmosphere, inviting users to engage more fully with the natural world around them.

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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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