Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Sound Tubes and Natural Light in a Compact Meditation Cabin

Authors:
Lisha Chen, Chih-ting Yeh
Sound Tubes and Natural Light in a Compact Meditation Cabin
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With distinct sound tubes and abundant natural light, the meditation cabin offers a compact, sustainable space for reflection within a forest setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sound tubes are integrated into the design to enhance acoustic experiences during meditation.
02
The cabin features open skylights to maximize natural light throughout the interior.
03
Recycled wood is utilized in the heating system, promoting sustainability.
04
Rainwater collection is implemented for practical daily use.
05
Reflective surfaces are strategically placed to engage occupants visually with the forest.

The meditation cabin is designed to fit into its natural surroundings while promoting a deep connection between its users and the environment. Located in a peaceful forest area, this small structure covers less than 15 square meters and serves as a retreat for meditation and self-reflection. The concept is guided by the theme of "voice," influencing both its shape and purpose. By combining a cube structure with sound tubes of varying geometries, the cabin offers an immersive atmosphere for individuals to express their thoughts and feelings in harmony with nature.

Spatial Organization

The cabin's interior is thoughtfully arranged to enhance the user experience. It contains three distinct areas, each focusing on different types of meditation: light, voice, and reflection. The Meditation of Light area utilizes open skylights that allow abundant natural light to fill the space, creating a calming environment. In the Meditation of Voice, adjustable sound plates offer custom acoustic experiences, letting users engage with the sound in various ways. The Meditation of Reflection employs reflective surfaces to visually connect occupants with the forest, encouraging a greater appreciation for the outdoor setting.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is a core aspect of this design. The cabin's roof is angled at five degrees to improve rainwater collection, providing a practical resource for daily use. Natural ventilation is facilitated by strategically placed windows that promote airflow while bringing in light. The heating system works with recycled wood, contributing to energy efficiency, and biological methods turned waste into biogas for cooking and lighting. Together, these features significantly lessen the impact on the environment.

Material Selection

Wood is the main construction material used in the cabin. This choice supports the design's focus on sustainability and aligns with cultural ties to the region, particularly in Latvia. The use of wood not only provides strength to the structure but also adds warmth and comfort to the meditation space.

The cabin's exterior reflects a minimalist design, characterized by clean lines and simplicity. This approach helps the structure blend with its surroundings. Throughout the day, the way light interacts with the surfaces of the cabin enhances its visual character, creating a tranquil setting for meditation.

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