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Candlelight Pathways in Natural Wood Spaces

Author:
Calvin Liang
Candlelight Pathways in Natural Wood Spaces

Project in-detail

A covered path guides visitors through a serene landscape of natural wood spaces, enhancing communal interaction and personal reflection within the context of Latvian cultural practices surrounding remembrance and mourning.
5 key facts about this project
01
Covered path provides shelter for visitors navigating the cemetery site.
02
Solace area offers a dedicated zone for personal reflection and mourning.
03
Community space facilitates social gatherings and the sale of memorial items.
04
Auditorium is designed specifically for cultural rituals, enhancing participation.
05
Rainwater collection system supports sustainability and resource management.

Situated within the tranquil expanse of Forest Cemetery Park, the design responds to Latvian traditions surrounding death and remembrance. It views death not as a finality but as a part of life's ongoing journey. The environment created here facilitates both mourning and celebration through community activities, such as Sveču vakars, known as Candlelight Evening. This engagement with cultural practices is essential to the overall concept.

Covered Path

A significant feature of the design is the covered path that winds through the cemetery, allowing visitors to navigate the area while promoting a sense of togetherness during ceremonies. The path is protected from the elements, which is especially relevant given the frequent rain typical of the region. Visitors can engage with the site comfortably at any time of the year, encouraging a continuous relationship with the landscape.

Solace Area

Alongside the covered path is the Solace area, crafted as a private space for moments of reflection. This zone offers shelter to those seeking solitude while mourning. It allows visitors a chance to step away from communal activities for introspection. This area acknowledges the individual experience of grief, recognizing the need for personal space within a collective setting.

Community Space

The Community space encourages social interactions, where visitors can come together. This area is designed to accommodate gatherings and feature vendors offering flowers, candles, and food. It aims to deepen the sense of community, allowing people to share memories and support each other during difficult times. Through thoughtful organization, the space fosters a communal spirit within the act of remembrance.

Auditorium

In addition to these spaces, the design includes an Auditorium intended for cultural rituals, such as hymns, dances, and chants. This area serves as a gathering point for cultural expressions significant to the community. Its inclusion supports the idea of participation and connection, allowing individuals to engage in important traditions that honor the deceased.

The project incorporates a roof design that collects rainwater, repurposing it as greywater for various uses. This approach not only addresses practical needs but also emphasizes environmental responsibility. Such elements are carefully integrated into the overall design, enhancing both functionality and sustainability.

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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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