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Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Stone Integrate with Healing Landscapes in Care Facility Design

Authors:
Ghazal Ajami, Maryam Shokrollahi
Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Stone Integrate with Healing Landscapes in Care Facility Design

Project in-detail

Charred wooden shingles and local stone create a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape in a care facility designed to promote well-being through personalized spaces and restorative outdoor areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance fire resistance while providing a distinct aesthetic.
02
Cross-laminated timber panels offer rapid construction and improved thermal performance.
03
A central water feature promotes tranquility and serves as a focal point for the surrounding landscape.
04
Patient rooms are designed for personalization, allowing occupants to create their preferred environments.
05
Pathways integrate seamlessly with existing trees, maintaining the natural topography of the site.

## Project Overview

Located in a tranquil residential area, the Maple Routes design responds to the demands of modern healthcare environments by creating a retreat that prioritizes user well-being and social interaction. With expansive views of the surrounding mountains and the intentional integration of natural elements, this design fosters an environment conducive to healing and independence, particularly tailored for patients requiring care.

## Spatial Organization

The spatial organization reinforces community engagement while accommodating individual needs. Patient rooms are arranged in clusters of four, promoting interaction among residents while ensuring privacy. Each room is designed for personalization, allowing patients to infuse their character into their living spaces. The layout features vibrant red pathways that not only facilitate movement but also function as connective elements, directing flow toward communal areas such as the integrated park. These pathways encourage exploration, alleviate feelings of isolation, and enhance navigational confidence.

## Material Selection and Unique Features

The choice of materials reflects a commitment to both aesthetic appeal and functional performance. Wood provides warmth in structural elements and decking, while stone adds permanence to walls and landscaping, resonating with the natural context. Large glass windows enhance light entry and visibility to the outdoors, contributing to a calming atmosphere, while varied textures of brick throughout the facility offer a tactile sense of homeliness.

Integral to the design is its relationship with the surrounding environment; existing trees and topography are thoughtfully incorporated, with a central water feature that adds both visual and auditory elements of tranquility. The inclusion of a chapel provides a dedicated space for reflection, strategically positioned to offer serene views and a calming ambiance for spiritual contemplation.

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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
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