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Circular Reflections Enhanced by Natural Light and Charred Wooden Shingles in a Cemetery Setting

Author:
Ian Mark Shaw
Circular Reflections Enhanced by Natural Light and Charred Wooden Shingles in a Cemetery Setting

Project in-detail

Crafted from charred wooden shingles and designed with a circular layout that invites natural light, the chapel serves as a tranquil space for reflection within the cemetery grounds.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates a circular layout to enhance community engagement during services.
02
Features strategically placed openings that maximize natural light throughout the day.
03
Utilizes locally sourced charred wooden shingles for both aesthetic and durability.
04
Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels for improved sustainability and efficiency.
05
Integrates a bent A-frame design to create visually dynamic interior spaces.

The Chapel of Rest, located at the North Cemetery in Wiesbaden, Germany, serves as a modern architectural intervention within a traditional burial environment. This project is designed to facilitate both reflection and mourning, addressing the emotional and spiritual needs of visitors. The chapel’s architecture emphasizes simplicity and intimacy, creating a space that fosters a sense of connection to the natural surroundings and to one another.

The core function of the chapel is to provide a dedicated area for memorial services, personal contemplation, and communal gatherings. The design utilizes natural materials such as wood, concrete, and glass, ensuring that the structure integrates with the existing landscape while promoting a serene atmosphere. The architectural layout is carefully organized to support the flow of services and to accommodate varying numbers of visitors, thus enhancing the experience of each individual who enters.

Unique Design Approaches

One distinguishing feature of the Chapel of Rest is its circular layout, which departs from more conventional rectangular or linear designs typically found in similar projects. This geometry promotes inclusivity, allowing participants to feel equally engaged during ceremonies. Each aspect of the interior is carefully considered, with seating arranged in a semicircular fashion to facilitate interaction and connection among attendees.

Natural light plays a pivotal role in the chapel's design. Dramatic openings and a large overhead circular aperture allow sunlight to filter into the space, creating beautifully illuminated areas that shift throughout the day. This strategic use of light not only enhances the spiritual ambiance but also visually connects the interior with the natural landscape outside. Visitors are encouraged to engage with their surroundings, fostering a sense of tranquility and grounding.

Materiality is another important aspect of this project. The use of locally sourced wood for interior paneling offers warmth and familiarity, contrasting with the more industrial feel of concrete used for structural components. The integration of glass provides transparency, visually linking the interior of the chapel to the cemetery grounds, thereby inviting the natural world into the commemorative space. These material choices underscore a commitment to sustainability and contextual relevance, ensuring that the chapel resonates within its environment.

Exploring Architectural Details

To fully appreciate the Chapel of Rest, one must review the architectural plans and sections that detail its innovative design. The thoughtful arrangement of internal spaces, the method of engaging with light, and the selection of materials reflect key architectural ideas that embody the project's ethos. Reviewing these elements will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how the chapel serves its purpose and enhances the cemetery as a whole.

For further insights into the architectural concepts and design strategies behind the Chapel of Rest, interested readers should explore the specific architectural plans, sections, and details presented in the project's documentation. These resources offer a clearer picture of how the architecture effectively addresses both functional needs and aesthetic aspirations in this sensitive context.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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