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Timber Texture and Stone Façade Enhance Tranquility in a Mountain Yoga Retreat

Authors:
Fan Xue, Jian Meng, Xu Wang
Timber Texture and Stone Façade Enhance Tranquility in a Mountain Yoga Retreat
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A meditation patio welcomes visitors to a serene mountain retreat, where a harmonious blend of timber textures and a stone façade create an environment ideal for yoga and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditation patio serves as a tranquil entry point, enhancing the visitor experience.
02
The design integrates with the steep mountain slope, optimizing views and natural light.
03
Changing areas and communal spaces promote social interaction post-yoga sessions.
04
A zen garden complements the yoga room, extending the practice outdoors.
05
Timber textures and a stone façade minimize environmental impact while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

The new yoga shala is set on a steep mountain slope, designed to take advantage of the expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The building features a multi-level layout that blends with the land, focusing on creating a calm environment for yoga and meditation. The design emphasizes tranquility and promotes connections among users who seek both individual practice and community engagement.

Spatial Organization

The upper level includes a meditation patio that welcomes visitors and creates a peaceful entry into the building. This patio sets a calming tone, leading people into the heart of the space. The middle level is equipped with necessary facilities such as changing areas, bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. These spaces cater to practical needs while encouraging social interaction, allowing users to come together after their yoga sessions.

Connection to Nature

The lowest level is dedicated to a yoga room, designed to enhance the experience of being close to nature. This room aims to promote focus and tranquility. It opens directly to a zen-style garden, which serves as an extension of the yoga space. The garden provides opportunities for relaxation and mindfulness, reinforcing the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

Materiality and Sustainable Design

Materials have been selected carefully to balance aesthetics and environmental responsibility. The combination of wood, glass, and concrete with timber textures creates a welcoming and modern interior. Additionally, the stone façade is utilized to minimize the building's environmental impact, underscoring a commitment to sustainability in design.

A central patio links the three levels, allowing natural light to fill the interior spaces. This feature enhances the overall atmosphere by connecting the building to its natural surroundings. The way light enters the space adds to the experience, enriching the environment and supporting the purpose of this yoga shala.

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

`
Competition organisers

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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