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Terraced Cabins with Birch Plywood and Natural Surroundings

Authors:
Katsushi Goto, Khushboo Vyas, Anjali Rajmohan
Terraced Cabins with Birch Plywood and Natural Surroundings
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Characterized by interlocking volumes and a terraced garden for greywater management, the design offers a sustainable retreat in Oleiros that emphasizes the connection between nature and user experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Interlocking cabin volumes enhance spatial flexibility and user experience.
02
Terraced garden integrates greywater treatment into the overall design.
03
Skylights optimize natural light while framing views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Modular construction allows for easy assembly and site adaptation.
05
Birch plywood used as a primary structural material promotes sustainability.

Metamorph is located in Oleiros, within the landscape of a meditation retreat. The design focuses on the idea of inbetweenness, creating a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The cabins are designed to blend with the landscape, enhancing the relationship between the architecture and the natural surroundings. This approach provides a calm environment that supports meditation and introspection.

Spatial Organization

The layout of each cabin includes interlocking areas for therapy, meditation, and cleansing, allowing for various uses while keeping a strong link to the outdoors. Skylights are strategically placed to bring in natural light, casting gentle shadows that enrich the interior space. The open corners of each cabin offer expansive views of the valley, encouraging users to engage with the surrounding nature.

Modularity and Structural Integrity

A significant feature of the design is its modular nature, promoting flexibility in how the cabins can be constructed or relocated. Built over a grid system that uses rotational geometries, these cabins can be easily assembled, replicated, or dismantled based on site needs. Birch plywood is used for both the base plate and structural components, enabling efficient prefabrication that aligns with modern building practices.

Sustainability and Landscape Integration

The project includes a terraced garden designed to process greywater from the cabins and existing retreat facilities. This feature enhances sustainability and improves the visual appeal of the site. Nutrient-rich wastewater flows through a series of planted terraces, supporting environmental health while providing a calming backdrop for users.

Each cabin is more than just a standalone structure; it interacts with its environment in a way that creates a sense of balance. The design invites users to reflect and connect with the natural world, fostering a deep sense of peace and contemplation.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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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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