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Candle Pockets and White Granite Embrace in a Reflective Memorial

Authors:
Yun Gao, Ruijun Qi, Jialing Li, Rhys McCrossan
Candle Pockets and White Granite Embrace in a Reflective Memorial

Project in-detail

White granite niches and cedar benches form a reflective space in the forest that invites visitors to honor their ancestors through personal rituals and communal remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
01
White granite niches are designed to reflect the light, enhancing the atmosphere of tranquility.
02
Cedar benches are strategically positioned for comfort and contemplation.
03
Embedded candle pockets foster personal rituals for visitors.
04
The structure integrates galvanized steel for enhanced durability and stability.
05
Warm-toned lighting creates a soothing environment during evening hours.

The design revolves around Darwin's Tree of Life theory, which highlights the connections between all living beings. Set within a peaceful forest area, the project acts as a memorial where visitors can reflect on their ancestors and the ties that bind them to nature. The theme resonates with Latvian cultural traditions, where the forest serves as a sacred place for contemplation, creating an environment that nurtures personal connections and spiritual reflection.

Materiality

The structure uses cast-in-place concrete forms with a white finish that is polished and smooth. This choice offers both stability and a calming atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. Inside, the niches are lined with white granite, contributing to a respectful environment for remembrance.

Cedar benches are included in the design, attached securely to the concrete forms. These benches provide spots for visitors to rest and reflect. Additionally, there are embedded pockets within the concrete for candle placement, allowing people to honor their loved ones through personal rituals.

Structural Integrity

To ensure the design's stability, galvanized steel bearing plates and hollow structural sections are integrated. These elements create strong connections between different parts of the structure, supporting the concrete and benches effectively. Cedar slats are placed between curved PVC panels, adding visual interest and fostering ongoing interaction between the natural surroundings and the built environment.

Lighting and Engagement

Warm-toned spotlights are used to illuminate the area, making it welcoming at night. The lightweight hollow core PVC covering keeps the structural load manageable while maintaining a fluid design. An exterior ledge for flowers invites visitors to connect with the memorial more personally, creating a space for individual expression.

The design brings together natural and constructed elements, encouraging moments of quiet reflection and respect for ancestry in a tranquil forest setting.

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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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