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Stone Walls and Floating Bar Create a Private Retreat Amid Nature

Author:
Andrew Glicksberg
Stone Walls and Floating Bar Create a Private Retreat Amid Nature
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Defined by its floating bar structure and stone walls, this retreat offers a private sanctuary that seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings, providing an ideal space for relaxation and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating bar serves as a centerpiece, housing essential utilities.
02
Expansive glass wall connects the interior to the surrounding landscape.
03
Stone walls create privacy while providing thermal mass.
04
Meditation space is accessed via a pull-down ladder, maximizing usability.
05
Outdoor terrace enhances the connection between indoors and nature.

The Romantic Retreat is located in a partly secluded area, designed to offer guests a calm space for relaxation. The building takes cues from the nearby main lodge, creating a unified look across the resort while still allowing each structure to express its own style. The overall concept centers on crafting an experience where guests can feel connected to the surrounding nature while enjoying various intimate spaces that meet their needs.

Spatial Organization

The layout of the Romantic Retreat is carefully designed to provide a balance between public and private areas. It includes important spaces like the Kitchen + Dining, Bathroom, Meditation Space, Entrance Foyer, Utility Closet, Bedroom + Lounge, and Outdoor Terrace. This arrangement allows guests to easily move between social areas and private retreats, enhancing comfort and usability.

Architectural Features

At the heart of the design is a wood floating bar that cuts through the stone rectangular structure of the cabin. This feature acts as both a visual focus and a functional element, housing the bathroom and kitchen. The design makes water distribution efficient by positioning a utility closet next to the entrance, reducing barriers between different spaces.

Natural Light and Views

The Bedroom + Lounge is designed with a large glass wall that brings in ample natural light and provides views of the surrounding area. Guests access this area through a corridor that passes through the floating bar. This transition heightens the feeling of space, contrasting the low ceiling of the corridor with the airy quality of the lounge, while still offering privacy.

Intimacy in Design

The bathroom emphasizes a sense of intimacy with careful choices, such as allowing natural light from a skylight to illuminate the shower area. The bathing space extends outward, creating a relaxing atmosphere with design elements that invite serenity.

Stone and wood materials link the retreat to its natural surroundings, grounding the architecture in its environment. Each detail is thoughtfully crafted to promote a connection with the landscape, resulting in a welcoming space for reflection and rest.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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