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A Thermo-Treated Timber Retreat with Passive Climate Control

Authors:
Alisher Sadykov, Kēta Elizabete Siliņa
A Thermo-Treated Timber Retreat with Passive Climate Control
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Designed as a mindful escape, House of Hush merges traditional form with sustainable innovation. Using thermo-treated timber, recycled materials, and passive design techniques, the house fosters well-being through spatial clarity and environmental harmony.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber-framed design inspired by vernacular agricultural structures.
02
Clad in low-maintenance thermo-treated pine.
03
Transparent photovoltaic glass generates electricity and daylight.
04
Yoga room features full-height glazing for landscape views.
05
Rainwater harvesting contributes to on-site self-sufficiency.

Located in a coastal village and shaped by its natural setting, House of Hush is a timber-framed residential project that adopts a minimalist spatial concept within a gable-roofed form inspired by vernacular agricultural structures. The design prioritizes low-impact construction, energy efficiency, and spatial flexibility.

Exterior materials and site integration

The dwelling is clad in thermo-treated pine, chosen for its low maintenance requirements and resilience in a coastal environment. The structural frame incorporates recycled timber beams, emphasizing circular material use. Transparent photovoltaic glass panels are installed in key roof areas, generating electricity while providing diffuse daylight to the interiors. The structure is set on a continuous concrete plinth and connected by a paver path, minimizing site disturbance and facilitating stormwater permeability in the forest clearing.

Interior organization and program

The plan supports both solitude and social engagement. A yoga room faces the surrounding landscape through full-height glazing, establishing a direct visual relationship with the wooded site. Core living functions—including kitchen, dining, and living areas—are integrated into an open-plan layout that maximizes spatial efficiency within a compact footprint. Modular furnishings allow for reconfiguration depending on use, including rest, meditation, or hosting.

Environmental systems

Passive ventilation is enabled through operable openings placed to capture cross-breezes, eliminating the need for mechanical cooling. The envelope includes thermal insulation and high-performance glazing to optimize year-round energy performance. Rainwater harvesting is incorporated into the design for irrigation and potential reuse, contributing to on-site self-sufficiency.

Material palette

The interiors feature a restrained set of materials including recycled timber, untreated finishes, and exposed concrete. This palette supports durability and environmental performance while maintaining visual continuity with the surrounding forest landscape.

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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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