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Biophilic Healing Space With Air-Purifying Plants and Natural Timber Elements

Authors:
Neil Aspinall, Neil Aspinall, Kate Mathers
Biophilic Healing Space With Air-Purifying Plants and Natural Timber Elements

Project in-detail

Incorporating air-purifying plants within a naturally illuminated courtyard, this design utilizes timber and glass to create a supportive environment for individuals undergoing cancer treatment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates an indoor courtyard with a variety of air-purifying plants to enhance indoor air quality.
02
Utilizes user-controlled environmental systems for personalized comfort adjustments.
03
Features a communal table as a central element to promote social interaction among users.
04
Constructed with charred wooden shingles for improved durability and aesthetic appeal.
05
Designed with expansive glass windows to maximize natural light and views of the surrounding environment.

## Project Overview
Located in Krakow, Poland, this architectural design focuses on creating a supportive environment specifically for individuals affected by cancer, embodying the principles of Healing Architecture. The intent is to foster community, enhance well-being, and provide spaces for both privacy and interaction that are essential for individuals facing health challenges. This project prioritizes the integration of natural elements and accessible design to facilitate a healing experience.

## Spatial Strategy
### Community Interaction and Privacy
The design strategically organizes spaces to emphasize both communal engagement and personal refuge. Central to this concept is a large communal table, symbolizing connection and fostering social interaction among users. The layout includes a blend of public and private areas, facilitating organic flow while ensuring that personal space is respected. Generous natural light permeates through expansive windows, connecting the interior with the surrounding greenery, and creating an atmosphere of warmth through wood finishes and muted tones.

### Air Quality and Serenity
A notable feature is the “Oxygen Room,” an indoor courtyard filled with meticulously selected air-purifying plants that filter toxins and enhance indoor air quality. This element serves both functional and recreational purposes, providing a serene retreat where individuals can experience nature safely within the confines of the building. The space encourages a calming environment which aligns with the overall goal of promoting emotional well-being and comfort for users.

## Materiality and Climate Response
### Natural Elements in Design
The material selection plays a crucial role in shaping the project's atmosphere. Predominantly featuring various types of wood for structural elements, wall finishes, and furnishings, the design emphasizes natural aesthetics that contribute to emotional comfort. Large glass windows enhance the connection to the outdoors, facilitating ample daylight while minimizing barriers between inside and outside.

### Sustainable Choices
Textiles made from natural fibers are incorporated into soft furnishings to enhance tactile comfort, while innovative passive design strategies are employed to optimize energy efficiency. The building's layout takes advantage of natural light in winter months for warmth while providing shading during peak summer, ensuring thermal comfort and reducing the overall energy footprint.

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

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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
The Architect's Chair
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
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