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Basalt Niches and Cast Iron Details in a Reflective Columbarium Landscape

Authors:
Małgorzata Łysik, Jan Szeląg
Basalt Niches and Cast Iron Details in a Reflective Columbarium Landscape
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Carved from solid basalt and adorned with cast iron details, the columbarium integrates local flora within a thoughtful landscape, providing a serene space for remembrance and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cast iron details add a reflective quality to the memorial design.
02
Paths constructed from gravel enhance accessibility and guide visitor movement.
03
Local forest plants are incorporated to promote ecological awareness.
04
Understated illumination enhances the atmosphere during evening visits.
05
Benches made from solid wooden logs provide areas for quiet contemplation.

The columbarium embodies a thoughtful relationship between landscape and structure, set within a tranquil environment. It serves as a space for remembrance, inviting personal reflection and a connection to nature. The design concept emphasizes harmony, using the natural surroundings to create a meaningful experience for visitors while reimagining the traditional role of a columbarium.

Materiality

Stone plays a central role in the design, particularly through the use of solid basalt blocks for the niches that hold cremated remains. This material choice reflects a sense of durability and permanence, creating a lasting connection with the environment. The incorporation of cast iron details enhances the visual appeal, bringing in traditional elements that contribute to the memorial atmosphere.

Spatial Organization

The layout includes paths made from paved gravel that are carefully arranged to promote movement throughout the site. This design encourages exploration and provides an easy way for visitors to navigate the columbarium. The positioning of gravestones and other features fosters a flowing composition, creating an open environment that invites individuals to engage with the space.

Landscape Integration

Local forest plants are incorporated in a loose arrangement around the columbarium, supporting environmental awareness and enhancing the peaceful setting. This use of native flora helps to frame the structure while also promoting local biodiversity. The result is an enriched visitor experience that connects people with the natural world around them.

Ambient Lighting

Lighting techniques are thoughtfully applied, with fixtures designed to emit a soft glow from beneath significant elements within the landscape. This strategy improves visibility during evening hours and creates a warm atmosphere that highlights pathways and memorial features. The gentle light enhances the sense of calm and encourages moments of quiet reflection.

Beneath the overarching design, benches made from solid wooden logs are thoughtfully placed throughout the space, offering resting spots that invite contemplation. This detail blends functionality with the serene ethos of the columbarium, contributing to a holistic experience for all who visit.

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

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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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