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Sustainable Retreat Crafted from Recycled Materials and Transitional Spaces in a Natural Setting

Authors:
Daniela Arango, Daniel Blanco, Mateo Soto, Carolina Upegui
Sustainable Retreat Crafted from Recycled Materials and Transitional Spaces in a Natural Setting

Project in-detail

Crafted with recycled materials and incorporating modular cabins that promote both community and solitude, the design seamlessly integrates into the natural landscape to serve as a retreat for tea processing and guest accommodation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted using locally sourced recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.
02
Incorporates modular cabin designs that allow for flexible use and reconfiguration.
03
Features large glass panels to enhance natural lighting and connect interiors with the landscape.
04
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
05
Designed around tea processing, integrating traditional methods with contemporary architecture.

# Analytical Report on the Architectural Design Project "The Assemblage"

## Overview
Located amidst diverse natural elements, "The Assemblage" engages with its environment through a careful interplay of architectural components. The design strategy aims to create a harmonious relationship with the site while promoting community interaction through modular and flexible spaces. The project integrates key elements such as forests, bodies of water, and clearings to guide its spatial and functional organization.

## Spatial Strategy and Interaction
### Configuration and Layout
The project’s layout is defined by a grid system that governs spatial relationships, creating focal points that facilitate social interaction. Guest cabins are arranged in various formats to allow for both collective and individual experiences, each designed to enhance the connection with surrounding tree canopies through raised structures. Communal areas, including living rooms and kitchens, serve as hubs for social engagement, specifically tailored for shared activities related to tea production. Additionally, a reimagined barn accommodates traditional processing functions while embracing contemporary design principles.

### Thematic Elements in Interaction
The interaction between distinct environmental components is pivotal to the design. The density of the forest creates a stark contrast to the clarity of open spaces, while the lake offers a reflective quality that enhances tranquility. Transitional zones foster movement and social engagement, permitting seamless activity among visitors. Clearings serve as pivotal areas that connect varied architectural elements, reinforcing the essential relationship between human habitation and natural surroundings.

## Materiality and Sustainability
### Material Selection
The project emphasizes the use of local and natural materials, which are strategically chosen to support sustainability goals. Wood serves as a primary structural and aesthetic component, complemented by glass panels that enhance transparency and connectivity to the outdoors. Textile fabrics facilitate flexible interior partitions, allowing spaces to adapt to different uses. Stone is employed for grounding elements, while recycled materials—including branches and stones sourced from the site—are recontextualized to minimize ecological footprints.

### Sustainable Practices
The strategic integration of these materials not only enhances the aesthetic coherence of the project but also aligns with broader sustainability practices. By prioritizing local sourcing and the re-use of site materials, the design exemplifies a commitment to reducing environmental impacts and fostering a sustainable interaction between architecture and nature.

### Aesthetic and Sensory Qualities
The design articulates a blend of organic and constructed environments, characterized by natural lighting, airflow, and earthy textures that resonate with the surrounding landscape. This biophilic approach encourages introspection and community interaction, allowing visitors to engage deeply with their environment while promoting a sensory journey through varied textures, sounds, and visuals.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
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Chair
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MICROHOME
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Kinderspace
Kinderspace
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