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Transparent Glass Retreat with Monolithic Slate Core Integrating Nature and Functionality

Authors:
Obinna Elechi, Greg Broerman
Transparent Glass Retreat with Monolithic Slate Core Integrating Nature and Functionality
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Combining a monolithic slate core with a transparent glass façade, the design allows for seamless integration with the surrounding landscape while offering versatile guest accommodations that emphasize sustainability and a strong connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a monolithic slate core for utility housing and thermal mass.
02
Incorporates living grass floors and private gardens for enhanced biophilia.
03
Transparent glass walls maximize natural light and landscape views.
04
Designed for year-round use with passive heating and cooling systems.
05
Rooms oriented to provide views of natural phenomena, such as the Northern Lights.

### Project Overview
"The Outdoor Rooms" is located in a rural area, influenced by the natural landscape and geological features characteristic of regions like Iceland. The project presents a distinct approach to outdoor living by integrating three types of guest accommodations—single, double, and triple rooms—designed to foster engagement with the surrounding environment. The intent is to provide guests with a contemporary lodging experience that blends indoor comforts with an immersive connection to nature.

### Architectural Form and Spatial Strategy
The design employs a transparent, greenhouse-like structure for each guest room, maximizing natural light and offering unobstructed views of the countryside. This configuration reinforces the connection between interior spaces and the external environment. Traditional gable roofs complement the modern façades, achieving a visual harmony that references conventional barn-like structures while introducing a contemporary aesthetic. Each unit incorporates a living grass floor and a private garden, enhancing the overall experience of natural immersion.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The primary materials include glass, wood, and slate, each selected for their specific functional and aesthetic contributions. Glass façades facilitate light penetration and visibility, while wood is used for structural framing and finishes, adding warmth and texture. The slate forms a monolithic core that provides thermal mass, collecting solar energy to regulate internal temperatures passively. Living grass floors and diverse plantings contribute to the ecological integrity of the site, promoting biodiversity and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the rooms. The layout is designed to minimize environmental impact, adhering to principles of sustainability and ecological balance.

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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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