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Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Form a Healing Space for Terminal Care

Author:
Ziyu Qiu
Charred Wooden Shingles and Cross-Laminated Timber Form a Healing Space for Terminal Care

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, the design creates a sensory-rich environment that supports emotional well-being in a terminal care facility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to optimize natural light and views.
04
Includes interactive installations to engage visitors and facilitate reflection.
05
Design integrates therapeutic garden spaces to promote emotional well-being.

### Project Overview

Kaleidoscope is a specialized terminal care facility located in Great Yarmouth, a coastal town in Norfolk, England. The intent of the design is to create a supportive environment for patients and their families during end-of-life care, prioritizing emotional well-being and sensory engagement. The facility distinguishes itself from traditional healthcare environments through an emphasis on tranquility and introspective experiences.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

The layout of the facility promotes fluid movement between various spaces, enhancing the experience for users. Key components include the Library of Memory Tunnel, which offers a winding corridor lined with shelving that encourages reflection and personal connection to memories. The Kaleidoscope Pathway serves as a central route that facilitates access to significant areas, such as the chapel and reflection spaces, while its reflective surfaces optimize light interaction, fostering an atmosphere of contemplation. An intimate reflection space further allows users to engage in quiet personal contemplation away from the busyness of the world.

### Materiality and Outdoor Integration

The material selection in Kaleidoscope is purposeful, promoting a connection with the surroundings. Wood provides warmth and comfort, particularly evident in the Library of Memory Tunnel. Expansive glass facades enhance transparency and visual connection to the outdoor landscape, allowing natural light to permeate interior spaces. Concrete ensures structural durability, while metal accents introduce a contemporary contrast. The facility also includes landscaped gardens designed for relaxation and social interaction, allowing visitors to connect with nature and positively influence emotional well-being. Interactive installations and sensory features within the building cater to diverse user needs, serving as tools for healing, socialization, and remembrance.

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

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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Chair
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Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
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MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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