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Biophilic Healing Space With Expansive Glass Facades and Sustainable Wood Elements

Authors:
Yuehan Wang, Yifan Feng, Yifan Wu
Biophilic Healing Space With Expansive Glass Facades and Sustainable Wood Elements

Project in-detail

Designed with expansive glass facades that blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, this facility utilizes sustainable wood elements to create a tranquil healing space overlooking Dishui Lake for enhanced patient well-being.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed to maximize natural light with extensive glass facades that connect interior spaces to nature.
02
Incorporates a central garden that serves as a communal area for patient interaction and reflection.
03
Utilizes sustainable materials such as cross-laminated timber panels and charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability.
04
Features water elements throughout the landscape that promote a calming atmosphere and aid in healing.
05
The bent A-frame design not only adds visual interest but also optimizes structural integrity and energy efficiency.

## Overview

Located on the banks of Dishui Lake in Shanghai, China, Tranquility Edge is designed to enhance the well-being of patients by fostering a strong connection with nature. The architectural intent focuses on integrating natural elements and creating tranquil outdoor spaces that facilitate both visual and sensory interactions with water. The project reflects principles of healing architecture, aiming to establish an environment that promotes comfort and emotional support.

## Layout and Spatial Configuration

The layout of Tranquility Edge centers around a communal garden that serves as a focal point for patients and caregivers. Individual patient rooms are strategically arranged to optimize views of the gardens and the lake, reinforcing a sense of openness and calm. A network of pathways throughout the site encourages exploration and movement, enriching the user experience and enhancing the interaction between occupants and their surroundings.

## Material Choices and Sustainability

The selection of materials in Tranquility Edge plays a critical role in achieving both aesthetic and functional objectives. Concrete is used for structural integrity and to help regulate temperature, while wood elements are incorporated to provide warmth and a natural quality. Extensive use of glass facilitates transparency and promotes fluid connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, ensuring ample natural light and visual engagement with the landscape. Steel is employed in the structural framework for durability, supporting various architectural components. The landscape surrounding the building is designed with native flora that requires minimal maintenance, enhancing visual appeal while providing habitat for local wildlife. Through these choices, the project aligns with sustainable practices while contributing to an inviting and restorative atmosphere.

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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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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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