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Concrete Reflection of Nature Through Weathered Niches

Authors:
Rory Peckham, Ahaan Marwah, Tobia Graziani
Concrete Reflection of Nature Through Weathered Niches

Project in-detail

Weathered concrete niches transform family rituals into a dynamic interaction with nature, creating a reflective space for remembrance in the heart of Latvia's landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Weathered niches adapt in color over time, promoting a dialogue between memory and nature.
02
The design incorporates a bird bath to invite wildlife and enhance ecological engagement.
03
A concrete Silhouette Wall serves as both a boundary and a memorial space for urns.
04
Rewilding principles guide the integration of native trees, allowing nature to reclaim the site.
05
The project focuses on seasonal transformations, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.

The "Eternal Archive of a Weathered Oak" is located in Mezakapi, Latvia, and designed to be a space for remembrance and connection with nature. The project blends memorial elements with ecological awareness, focusing on how people interact with the environment throughout different seasons. The design encourages reflection on life's cycles and the relationship between individuals and the natural world.

Silhouette Wall

A key element is the concrete Silhouette Wall, which serves as a designated area for holding urns. This wall acts as a clear boundary, contrasting with the greenery that surrounds it. It guides visitors along a pathway, creating opportunities for quiet contemplation. The choice of concrete offers strength and permanence, reinforcing the connection between human activity and nature.

Niches

The design includes niches that are voids of white space, which will weather to a green color over time. These niches provide places for family members to leave flowers and other tributes, enhancing the function of this space as a community memorial. The transformation of these niches over time symbolizes the relationship between memory and nature. This encourages visitors to engage with the site in both physical and emotional ways.

Rewilding Concept

An important aspect of the design is the concept of rewilding. Over time, trees will reclaim parts of the site, establishing a link between the built environment and the natural landscape. This approach emphasizes growth and change, suggesting that architecture should respond to and evolve with its surroundings. By allowing nature to take its course, the design supports the idea of ongoing interaction between people and the environment.

Ecological Engagement

The project features a bird bath, designed to attract local wildlife and promote interaction with nature. This element adds another layer to the design, inviting birds and encouraging visitors to observe their behavior. By incorporating features like this, the design aims to connect human experiences with the rhythms of nature, creating a rich and engaging environment.

The design reflects a careful consideration of the relationship between memory, nature, and human experience, resulting in a space where remembrance is closely tied to the surrounding landscape. The overall atmosphere encourages visitors to engage with their memories and the natural elements, fostering a sense of connection with the place.

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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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