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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light in a Compassionate Care Environment

Authors:
Chung Mel Yin , Thet Htar
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light in a Compassionate Care Environment

Project in-detail

Incorporating charred wooden shingles and expansive glass panels, the design creates a serene atmosphere that supports families and patients in one of life’s most challenging moments within a dedicated hospice environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Features extensive use of cross-laminated timber panels for rapid construction and sustainability.
03
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to enhance natural ventilation and light throughout the facility.
04
Includes child-friendly spaces designed specifically for family interaction during visits.
05
Integrates landscaped courtyards that promote direct engagement with nature for patients and visitors.

### Overview
Tender Trails Hospice is located in Manchester, United Kingdom, and represents an innovative approach to end-of-life care. Emphasizing compassionate environments, the design addresses both the needs of patients and their families while integrating seamlessly with the surrounding natural landscape. The facility is strategically situated near Swainton Grove Park, enhancing its connection to green spaces and providing tranquil views that promote well-being.

### Spatial Organization
The layout of the hospice is carefully designed to balance public and private spaces. Visitor areas feature expansive courtyards and outdoor play areas that encourage interactions, while private rooms are designed to offer comfort and privacy. Key functional spaces—such as the dining room, therapy room, and garden—support a holistic approach to care, catering to both the nutritional and psychological needs of its users. This spatial strategy facilitates ease of movement, ensuring that visitors can navigate the facility intuitively, even during challenging times.

### Material and Environmental Strategies
The material selection for Tender Trails Hospice focuses on warmth and tactile qualities, utilizing natural materials that create a home-like atmosphere. Wood, glass, stone, and brick are employed to enhance both functionality and aesthetics, while soft, muted colors in the interior finishes promote a calming environment. Environmentally, the architecture incorporates sustainable strategies such as a rainwater harvesting system to recycle water for irrigation, alongside passive design features that optimize natural ventilation and daylighting. These elements contribute to a sustainable operational model that supports both environmental responsibility and user comfort.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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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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