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Circular Courtyard Embracing Natural Light With Brick and Glass in Palliative Care Facility

Author:
Hanna Mucha
Circular Courtyard Embracing Natural Light With Brick and Glass in Palliative Care Facility

Project in-detail

A circular layout with expansive glass walls and integrated brick surfaces fosters a seamless connection to nature, creating a tranquil environment that supports the needs of patients and families in a palliative care facility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular layout enhances patient interaction and community engagement.
02
Extensive use of glass maximizes natural light and connection to nature.
03
Brick and timber materials create a warm, homelike atmosphere.
04
Landscaped courtyards serve as therapeutic spaces for reflection and relaxation.
05
Design incorporates multi-purpose areas adaptable to various activities and needs.

### Project Overview
Hearth Hospice is a healthcare facility located in a suburban area of Poznań, Poland, designed to provide care and support to terminally ill patients and their families. Situated within a verdant landscape, the facility aims to enhance the quality of life for its users by fostering an environment that encourages connection and interaction among patients, families, and staff through a welcoming atmosphere.

### Design Concept and Spatial Strategy
The design strategy centers on creating a nurturing environment that harmonizes clinical functionality with warmth, exemplified by its circular layout. This configuration facilitates natural movement and interaction, with a central courtyard serving as a focal point that invites natural light into various spaces and acts as a gathering area for patients, families, and visitors. The overall flow of the building promotes both privacy and community engagement, ensuring a balanced experience for users.

### Materiality and Integration with Nature
The functional aesthetic of Hearth Hospice is achieved through a carefully selected palette of materials. Brick is utilized for its durability and familiar appearance, while strategically placed glass enhances natural lighting, creating a visual connection between indoor and outdoor areas. Concrete serves as a structural and flooring element that merges strength with design integrity. Surrounding green spaces, including gardens and outdoor seating, integrate the hospice into the neighborhood context, offering tranquil areas for reflection and relaxation that complement the facility's overall ethos of comfort and care.

### Functional Plan and User Experience
The functional layout of Hearth Hospice is organized to support both private and communal experiences. Patient rooms prioritize privacy while accommodating family visits, and common areas are spacious to promote social interaction. Service areas are discreetly positioned to ensure operational efficiency while maintaining the dignity of the patient experience. Flexible multi-purpose rooms allow the facility to adapt to various needs, reinforcing its capability to support a range of activities and interactions among its users.

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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

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
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