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Angled Platforms and Rustic Finishes in a Community Cemetery

Authors:
Keer Li, Leyi Cui
Angled Platforms and Rustic Finishes in a Community Cemetery

Project in-detail

An angled platform for candle placement and rustic finishes create an inviting environment for remembrance and community in a cemetery designed to connect the living with those who have passed.
5 key facts about this project
01
Angled platform designed specifically for candle placement minimizes wax spillage.
02
Rustic finishes enhance the connection to the natural landscape.
03
Dedicated gardens empower visitors to actively participate in remembrance.
04
Play areas incorporated to engage children within the cemetery.
05
Bright windows create an open and inviting atmosphere throughout the space.

The cemetery embodies cultural depth and modern design, set against the backdrop of Latvia's unique landscape. It serves as a space for reflection and community engagement, emphasizing the connections between life and death. The design concept is centered on the cycle of existence, welcoming visitors to honor their loved ones in a peaceful environment.

Cultural Integration

Traditional Latvian customs surrounding death are woven into the design, creating a place that resonates with local values. Visitors are encouraged to plant flowers for those who have passed away. This practice breathes life into the cemetery, fostering a bond with the past. It allows the deceased to remain an integral part of the community.

Spatial Configuration

The cemetery layout enhances the sense of community, featuring areas designated for reflection and interaction. Visitors can bring flowers and gifts, creating personal rituals while surrounded by nature. This emphasis on community fosters relationships among individuals, turning the cemetery into a shared space for remembering and honoring life.

Functional Design Features

A unique aspect of the design is the angled platform designed for candle placement, which prevents wax spills and ensures cleanliness. This practical element respects the act of remembrance while meeting visitor needs. The inclusion of play areas for children also allows for interaction with nature, emphasizing the ongoing flow of life amid loss.

Materiality and Aesthetics

The visual character of the space is shaped by rustic and gentle finish materials that blend with the natural setting. Bright windows provide natural light, making the space feel inviting and open. These material choices complement the overall aesthetic, creating a tranquil environment for visitors to explore and connect.

The design focuses on blending functionality with respect for the traditions of remembrance, ensuring a calm atmosphere for reflection and contemplation. Seating areas are arranged to encourage visitors to engage with the landscape, deepening their connection to the earth and their shared memories.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Chair
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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