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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

Project in-detail

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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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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