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Breathing Façade and Natural Light Create Healing Spaces in Sustainable Community Facility

Authors:
Tomas Milkamanavičius, Paulius Venckūnas, Linas Jurevičius
Breathing Façade and Natural Light Create Healing Spaces in Sustainable Community Facility

Project in-detail

A hexagonal structure with a breathing façade and abundant natural light serves as a supportive environment for lung cancer patients, seamlessly integrating therapeutic gardens and flexible consultation spaces to enhance well-being and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
A hexagonal layout encourages natural flow and interaction among users.
02
The breathing façade enhances air quality while providing visual transparency.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels contribute to structural integrity and thermal performance.
04
Outdoor consultation areas promote healing through nature exposure.
05
Charred wooden shingles offer durability and aesthetic contrast against lighter materials.

### Overview

Located in Krakow, Poland, adjacent to the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Institute of Oncology, the Oxygen Home integrates healthcare, community space, and environmental concerns into its architectural framework. The design aims to create a supportive and health-conscious environment for individuals diagnosed with lung cancer, while also addressing urban air pollution through a focus on air quality and green spaces. The building serves both as a treatment facility and a community resource, fostering awareness around health issues associated with air quality.

### Spatial Configuration

The Oxygen Home is organized around a unique hexagonal form that enhances spatial flexibility and facilitates natural movement within the facility. Designed to promote user interaction, the layout includes designated areas for community activities, consulting rooms, a library, and dining facilities arranged in circular patterns. Outdoor spaces are incorporated to encourage private consultations and group gatherings in a tranquil, natural setting, thereby enhancing the therapeutic experience. The strategic integration of these spaces not only facilitates user engagement but also nurtures a connection with the surrounding environment.

### Material Selection

A carefully curated palette of materials underscores the design's commitment to wellness and functionality. Durable concrete forms the structural foundation, while warm woods such as maple and white oak enrich the interior aesthetics. Extensive use of glass in the façades optimizes natural light and visual connectivity to the landscape, and aluminum composite panels form the innovative ‘breathing’ exterior that aids ventilation. Frameless windows provide unobstructed views of the outdoors, complementing the use of white marble in selected interior spaces for an elevated ambiance. Each material has been chosen for its relevance to the health-oriented ethos of the project, supporting both practical and emotional needs.

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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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