Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Sanctuary for End-of-Life Care

Author:
Taeyoon Kang
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Create a Harmonious Sanctuary for End-of-Life Care

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design creates a tranquil environment that prioritizes reflection and wellness for individuals in end-of-life care.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels to optimize structural integrity and minimize construction waste.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that promotes efficient natural ventilation and light penetration.
04
Includes dedicated meditation areas integrated with gardens for holistic healing experiences.
05
Prioritizes accessibility through wide corridors and user-friendly spaces for patients and visitors.

### Project Overview
"Hospice: Awareness of Life" is located in Seoul, South Korea, designed as a response to the nuanced requirements of individuals facing terminal illnesses. The facility aims to serve as a sanctuary that promotes reflection and meaningful connections for both residents and their families. The design integrates care provisions with a sense of refuge, addressing the challenges posed by the urban environment.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience
The layout comprises multiple interconnected pavilions, each serving distinct functions while ensuring accessibility and visual coherence. Individual rooms prioritize comfort and privacy, featuring large windows that capture views of the surrounding nature and optimize natural light. Communal spaces facilitate social interaction and support activities among patients, families, and caregivers, thus fostering a sense of community within the hospice. Additionally, specialized therapy rooms cater to various therapeutic practices, supporting a holistic approach to wellness. Key features include a chapel and a spiritual garden, designed for reflection and peace, and reinforcing the healing aspects of the environment.

### Materiality and Environmental Consideration
Material choice plays a critical role in enhancing the hospice's ambiance. The use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) supports extensive spans while offering visual warmth, contributing to a tranquil interior atmosphere. Concrete elements provide structural durability and permanence, while large glass windows facilitate transparency, bridging indoor and outdoor experiences. Metal accents are incorporated sparingly, yielding a contemporary touch that complements the overall natural aesthetic. This thoughtful selection of materials creates a sensory-rich environment that aligns harmoniously with the landscape.

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