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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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Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

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Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

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Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

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Final registration deadline 29 October 2026

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