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Timber Cabins with Garden Thresholds for Reflective Retreats

Authors:
Frank Romero, Jacob Schneck, Ryan Goold, Aaron Grunwald
Timber Cabins with Garden Thresholds for Reflective Retreats
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Timber cabins with traditional wood joinery and garden thresholds create a serene setting for meditation, emphasizing a deep connection to the surrounding forest and river valley.
5 key facts about this project
01
Timber structure allows seamless integration with the surrounding environment.
02
Garden thresholds enhance sensory engagement with nature.
03
Flexible interiors accommodate varied meditation styles.
04
Strategic placement maximizes views of the river valley.
05
Traditional wood joinery reflects regional craftsmanship.

Prospect & Refuge Meditation Cabins are located on a sloping terrace that provides views of a river valley. The design aims to create a calm and restorative environment for meditation. By blending architecture with nature, the cabins enhance the visitor experience and promote relaxation. The main ideas behind the project focus on feelings of safety and connection to the landscape, guiding visitors from outside to spaces meant for quiet reflection.

Architecture Concept

The concept behind the cabins combines the ideas of safety and outward view. This balance allows visitors to move easily from the surrounding nature into the restful interiors of the cabins. The design provides private spaces while maintaining a link to the outside world. Each cabin has a flexible layout to suit different types of activities and personal preferences, ensuring that the spaces feel personal and inviting.

Design and Functionality

The arrangement of the cabins takes advantage of the hillside's natural features, which helps to maximize views towards the southwest. Three cabins extend toward the open landscape, allowing guests to enjoy the natural beauty around them. A fourth cabin is placed against a stone wall, creating a more intimate and focused area for meditation. Each cabin serves a specific purpose for visitors seeking peace and reflection, aligning with the goals of the nearby retreat.

Materiality

The materials used in the cabins feature a simple timber structure built with traditional wood joinery methods. This approach not only helps reduce environmental impact but also connects the design to local building traditions. The cabins are made to blend into the landscape, offering a sturdy yet welcoming presence without overpowering the natural surroundings.

Each cabin includes a garden threshold that invites visitors to transition from the outside world into a space for meditation and calm. The interiors are designed with sliding and rotating screens, allowing for flexibility that can adapt to various needs. This thoughtful design ensures that every visit results in a peaceful and healing connection to the environment.

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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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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 €
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