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Candle-Lit Ceremonial Spaces in a Stone and Concrete Memorial Maze

Authors:
Zi Wei Teh, Abril Jiang
Candle-Lit Ceremonial Spaces in a Stone and Concrete Memorial Maze
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Emerging from the earth, a maze of stone and concrete intertwines nature with memory, creating a reflective space that honors the past through candle-lit ceremonies and community gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Columbarium niches designed to accommodate varying heights, enhancing accessibility.
02
A central square dedicated to community gatherings, promoting collective remembrance.
03
Natural plant growth integrated into stone graves, symbolizing life's continuity.
04
Maze-like pathways facilitate meaningful exploration and personal reflection.
05
Candle-lit ceremonies connecting visitors through shared experiences of memory.

The design titled "Maze of Death and Life" introduces a contemporary cemetery that thoughtfully explores themes of memory and emotional connection. It is designed as a place for reflection on life and death, using a maze-like arrangement that encourages visitors to navigate through their personal and collective memories. The overall concept allows for a journey of introspection, with pathways facilitating a contemplative experience in a peaceful setting.

Design Concept

The maze serves as a metaphor for the complexity of life, offering a non-linear experience that reflects various uncertainties. Visitors can explore and engage with different emotional moments throughout the cemetery. The arrangement of paths enables a unique sense of journey, deepening personal engagement with the space and the memories it houses.

Materiality

Stone and concrete are the primary materials used in this cemetery, selected for both their strength and longevity. These materials enhance the cemetery's structural integrity and reflect the lasting nature of memory and life. The careful integration of these elements allows for meaningful interactions with the surrounding environment, reinforcing the idea of life continuing alongside death.

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is a key element in the design, incorporating free entrances, wide pathways, and ramps to ensure that everyone can visit comfortably. Features like anti-skid surfaces and built-in drainage systems address safety concerns, making the cemetery usable year-round, regardless of the weather conditions.

Ceremonial Spaces

A notable aspect of the cemetery is the "Night of Candles," an event where the central square becomes a gathering place. During this time, visitors light candles and share music and poetry to remember their loved ones. This communal experience fosters connections among visitors while allowing for personal reflection and expressions of grief.

The pathways meander through the cemetery, adorned with plants emerging from the spaces between stones. This detail symbolizes the ongoing cycle of life amidst the solemnity of the environment.

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Kingspan MICROHOME 2026: Building Less to Create More

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Competition organisers

The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 competition invites architects and designers worldwide to rethink small-scale living by creating an off-grid, modular micro dwelling under 25 m². Now in its 11th edition, the contest emphasizes sustainable, innovative, and human-centered design that demonstrates how compact living can have a big impact.

With a €100,000 prize fund, entries will be evaluated for originality, efficiency, and their response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. The competition is open to everyone, with submissions allowed individually or in teams of up to four. Registration closes on 30 September 2026, and winners will be announced on 15 December 2026.

By celebrating creativity within strict limits, MICROHOME 2026 continues to push the boundaries of compact architecture and sustainable living.

MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 September 2026

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