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Circular Design Featuring Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light for End-of-Life Care

Authors:
Piotr Dariusz Idzikowski, Weronika Deszczka
Circular Design Featuring Charred Wooden Shingles and Natural Light for End-of-Life Care

Project in-detail

With a circular layout embracing natural light and integrating charred wooden shingles, the facility offers a nurturing environment designed for end-of-life care and community connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular layout fosters community interaction and emotional support among patients.
02
Extensive use of charred wooden shingles enhances durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Incorporation of cross-laminated timber panels allows for efficient construction and sustainability.
04
Design features large glass facades that promote natural light and connect indoor spaces with nature.
05
Dedicated support areas are integrated seamlessly, prioritizing patient-centered care and accessibility.

### Project Overview
The Circle of Care is an architectural design established as a hospice and oncology center in Warsaw, Poland, aimed at addressing the specific needs of terminally ill patients in urban settings. The facility is designed to foster community interactions and support essential care, integrating therapeutic spaces that enhance the quality of life for individuals during end-of-life stages.

### Spatial Configuration
The circular layout of the facility is a central organizing principle, symbolizing wholeness and continuity. It comprises distinct zones that cater to various needs:

- **Solitude Areas:** Private spaces designated for reflection and emotional well-being.
- **Community Spaces:** Areas for group activities, including shared meals and events, that facilitate social interaction among patients and their families.
- **Natural Integration:** Gardens and outdoor spaces designed to promote tranquility and connection with nature.
- **Support Zones:** Dedicated rooms for therapeutic sessions where patients can engage with peers.
- **Care Facilities:** Accessible areas where medical services and support are provided to ensure comprehensive care for patients.

### Material Selection
Materiality is a defining aspect of the project's design, contributing to a calming and therapeutic atmosphere.

- **Wood:** Used extensively in structural elements, offering warmth and comfort, with an emphasis on locally sourced timber to connect the facility to its surroundings.
- **Glass:** Implemented in windows and partitions to maximize natural light and provide views of landscaped environments, fostering transparency and openness.
- **Concrete:** Incorporated into flooring and structural supports, delivering durability while harmonizing with the natural stone textures in the garden areas.

The thoughtful interplay of these materials creates a cohesive environment that balances functionality and aesthetic value.

### Community and Therapeutic Considerations
The design encourages community integration through pathways and communal spaces that welcome visitors, promoting interactions between the facility and its urban context. Unique therapeutic design elements are incorporated to address emotional care, which is often overlooked in traditional healthcare facilities. The abundance of landscaped gardens serves as an in-house retreat, leveraging natural elements to support the mental health and well-being of patients.

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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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