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Spiritual Retreat with Tapered Thatch Roof Design

Author:
Daniel Bramah
Spiritual Retreat with Tapered Thatch Roof Design

Project in-detail

The “Pilgrimage” Yoga House is a thoughtful spiritual retreat nestled between the Baltic Sea and the Jaunupes River. Conceived as a multifunctional space for yoga, meditation, and communal gathering, the project blends sustainable design with a deep sensitivity to nature and user experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a thatch roof for enhanced insulation and aesthetic appeal.
02
Utilizes recycled rubber tires in the foundation to promote sustainability.
03
Features large circular skylights for natural light and ventilation.
04
Incorporates a triangular form to create unique spatial dynamics.
05
Designed with flexible interior spaces to adapt for various activities.

At the core of the design is a striking triangular form that tapers upward, inspired by natural elements like mountains. This geometry creates a spacious, light-filled interior that supports both individual reflection and group practice. Large windows and circular skylights flood the space with natural light and frame views of the surrounding forest, creating a seamless dialogue between inside and out.

The building's material palette reinforces its ecological intent. A thatched roof offers natural insulation while visually rooting the structure in its landscape. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) improve thermal performance, and the timber frame construction ensures long-term sustainability and resilience. Notably, the project incorporates recycled rubber tires in the foundation—a creative use of reclaimed materials that aligns with its low-impact goals.

Inside, the space is designed to transition effortlessly between solitude and social engagement. A central hearth serves as a gathering point, while smaller alcoves provide quiet corners for meditation. The spatial arrangement encourages organic movement and emotional ease, reflecting the retreat’s emphasis on mindfulness and inner calm.

“Pilgrimage” is an invitation to pause, reconnect, and engage with nature and self. By merging ecological materials with symbolic form and user-centered planning, it offers a sanctuary where architecture becomes a quiet companion in the journey toward wellness.

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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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