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Columbarium Emphasizing Light and Reflection Through Interconnected Zones

Author:
Eric Mason
Columbarium Emphasizing Light and Reflection Through Interconnected Zones
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Emphasizing interconnected zones and the interplay of light, the columbarium serves as a contemplative space that bridges the experiences of the living and departed.
5 key facts about this project
01
Interconnected zones encourage both communal gathering and private reflection.
02
The columbarium's orientation maximizes natural light throughout the day.
03
Pathways are designed to guide visitors through contemplative journeys.
04
The design emphasizes the relationship between the living and the deceased.
05
Careful ground manipulation creates distinct yet cohesive spaces.

"Bridging the Lamented Columbarium" is a memorial space that connects the lives of the living with the memories of the deceased. Located in a carefully designed landscape, the project blends structures and pathways to create a peaceful journey for visitors. The main concept revolves around a columbarium, which both separates and unifies different areas, allowing users to navigate the site with thoughtful engagement with their surroundings.

Conceptual Framework

The design highlights the relationship between its various spaces, encouraging movement in multiple directions across the site. By altering the existing ground, three interconnected zones are created. These zones foster both community remembrance and individual reflection, honoring the emotional significance of the place. Visitors are invited to explore these areas in ways that resonate personally with their experiences and memories.

Spatial Organization

At the heart of the design is the columbarium, which represents the connection between the living and the departed. Its carefully chosen location takes advantage of natural light, which plays an important role in shaping the environment. The columbarium effectively divides the site while guiding visitors along pathways, ensuring a smooth journey through the memorial space that feels both intentional and welcoming.

Material and Light

Light is essential in creating the right atmosphere within the columbarium. The orientation of the building allows for changing light throughout the day, enriching the experience for everyone who visits. This interplay of light and shadow deepens the sense of connection present in the space, encouraging reflection on both life and memory. The design responds to these variations, inviting visitors to observe how light transforms the memorial area as it shifts.

Design Details

"Bridging the Lamented Columbarium" integrates thoughtfully with the surrounding landscape. Each part is designed to support the overall theme of connection and remembrance. Pathways lead visitors to different areas for contemplation, with the columbarium serving as the central element that draws attention. The arrangement of these spaces encourages interaction, allowing individuals to engage with the design and its themes on a personal level.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
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