Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Ceramic Tissue Pathways Within a Reflective Forest Cemetery

Authors:
David Sauer, Hendrik Koch
Ceramic Tissue Pathways Within a Reflective Forest Cemetery

Project in-detail

Ceramic tissue pathways weave through a thoughtfully excavated landscape in Riga, where distinct contemplation rooms offer visitors a serene environment to engage with themes of memory and loss within a forest cemetery.
5 key facts about this project
01
Ceramic tissue flooring enhances the tactile experience while blending with the natural landscape.
02
Two distinct contemplation rooms cater to individual and collective mourning needs.
03
The building is partially buried to promote reflection and minimize forest distractions.
04
Wildflower meadows create vibrant habitats and support local biodiversity.
05
A deliberate central pathway guides visitors through the themes of memory and mortality.

The design located within a forest cemetery focuses on exploring themes of mortality and reflection. Its primary function is to provide a space that encourages visitors to confront and engage with their own lives in relation to death. The overall design concept centers around creating an environment that promotes mourning and introspection, distinguishing it from conventional cemetery layouts by inviting a deeper connection to the experience of loss.

Spatial Organization

The arrangement of space is carefully considered to enhance the visitor experience. By excavating part of the site and partially burying the building, the design effectively separates visitors from the distractions of the surrounding forest. This approach cultivates a sense of isolation and reflection. A central pathway guides visitors through the area, prompting them to reflect on their surroundings and their own mortality.

Contemplation Rooms

Two separate contemplation rooms are central to the design, each serving a unique purpose. The "room of tears" caters to individual reflection, offering privacy for those processing personal grief. In contrast, the "room of light" enables a communal experience of mourning, allowing visitors to share memories and acknowledge loss together. This distinction enhances emotional engagement, accommodating various needs during the mourning process.

Material Considerations

Material choices are made to support the overarching theme of the design. The ceramic tissue used for the flooring presents a warm, earthy look that harmonizes with the natural surroundings. This material not only serves a practical purpose but also contributes to the overall aesthetic, creating a cohesive visual experience across the site.

Ecological Integration

The design includes ecological elements, such as wildflower meadows and beehives, which enhance the site’s biodiversity. These features turn previously unused land into vibrant habitats, underscoring the relationship between architecture and the natural environment. This focus on ecological design enriches visitors' experiences, fostering a stronger connection to nature while reinforcing the themes of life and death.

The pathway meanders through the landscape, with lighting providing gentle guidance. Features are placed thoughtfully throughout, ensuring that every aspect serves to connect visitors to both the setting and the moment of reflection.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy