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Circular Sanctuary Crafted With Icelandic Stone And Charred Wood for End-of-Life Care

Author:
Nicole Sokolovitch
Circular Sanctuary Crafted With Icelandic Stone And Charred Wood for End-of-Life Care

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wood shingles and local stone, the design emphasizes a circular layout that fosters community and reflection, creating a dedicated space for end-of-life care.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular design promotes communal living while supporting individual reflection.
02
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability and aesthetic appeal amid the coastal climate.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels provide a sustainable structural solution with superior insulation.
04
Integrated landscaping connects indoor spaces with the surrounding nature for therapeutic benefits.
05
A dedicated chapel features minimalistic design elements to foster spiritual contemplation.

### Overview

The Andra Hospice Care Center and Chapel, located in Arnarstrapi, Iceland, is an architectural exploration focused on creating a supportive environment for individuals facing the end of life. The facility's design prioritizes comfort and reflection, harmonizing with the surrounding landscape to foster a sense of peace and introspection for patients and their families. The development emphasizes the connection between the built environment and the natural setting, creating a sanctuary that encapsulates the essence of companionship in difficult times.

### Spatial Configuration and Community Engagement

The design features a circular layout that promotes community and connection, encouraging interaction among residents and visitors while also providing spaces for solitude. The central open courtyard serves as a gathering area, supporting both social engagement and private contemplation. The chapel, adjacent to the care center, introduces light and nature into its serene environment, enhancing the experience of reflection and spiritual connection.

### Materiality and Natural Integration

The selection of materials, such as wood, glass, stone, and metal, has been thoughtfully executed to reflect the warmth and stability necessary for a hospice setting. Wood lends comfort to interior spaces, while extensive use of glass facilitates natural light and preserves visual connections to the dramatic Icelandic surroundings. Stone roots the structure to its landscape, symbolizing permanence amidst the themes of transition imprinted within the design. These choices not only enhance the aesthetic but also reinforce the hospice's integration with its environment, creating a cohesive experience for users.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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