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Corten Steel Structures Harmonizing With Reflective Water Features In a Contemplative Cemetery Design

Authors:
Diego Fortuna, Sandro Di Mari Gandini
Corten Steel Structures Harmonizing With Reflective Water Features In a Contemplative Cemetery Design

Project in-detail

Corten steel structures create a contemplative environment enhanced by reflective water features, facilitating serene reflection and remembrance in a modern cemetery design.
5 key facts about this project
01
Corten steel structures evolve visually over time, enhancing the project's connection to nature.
02
Reflective water features are integrated to promote contemplation and invoke a sense of serenity.
03
The modular design allows for adaptability to future needs while accommodating diverse urn sizes.
04
Carefully designed pathways ensure accessibility while creating a private atmosphere for visitors.
05
Niches are distributed within five distinct cubes, providing a unique spatial organization for remembrance.

The Ponder Cubes architectural project is a contemplative space designed to honor life and memory. It employs a modular arrangement of five cube-like structures, each containing 102 niches, for a total of 510 niches dedicated to urns. The layout emphasizes a tranquil environment, featuring a central plaza that connects the individual cubes while facilitating light and airflow. This spatial organization allows for both communal reflection and personal contemplation, making it a resourceful design suited for its intended function.

The project represents an intersection of architecture and memorialization. By transforming the concept of a cemetery into a serene gathering place for reflection, it shifts traditional perceptions of such spaces. The design prioritizes accessibility and intimacy, inviting visitors to engage with their memories and experiences. As a result, the architectural choice fosters a sense of community among those who come to remember and reflect.

The materiality of the Ponder Cubes plays a crucial role in its design intent. The use of concrete establishes permanence, while corten steel adds warmth through its textural evolution over time. Black stone accents provide elegance and strength, complementing the overall form and function of the structures. The incorporation of glass surfaces enhances visibility and connection with the surrounding environment, promoting a seamless interaction between the built and natural realms.

A distinctive aspect of the Ponder Cubes is the emphasis on integrating water features within the design. These elements function as reflective surfaces, further reinforcing the contemplative atmosphere. The project includes carefully delineated circulation paths that maximize accessibility while maintaining privacy, striking a balance that is often overlooked in similar projects. The modular cube design not only allows for future adaptability but also accommodates a range of urn sizes, making it a versatile solution for various memorial traditions.

In examining the Ponder Cubes, the architectural plans reveal a thoughtful approach to spatial organization and material selection. Architectural sections provide insights into the structure’s interaction with light and nature, enhancing its function as a place of remembrance. The architectural designs reflect a commitment to fostering an environment conducive to emotional processing and community connection. Review the project presentation for deeper insights into these architectural ideas and explore the various elements that make the Ponder Cubes a meaningful design endeavor.

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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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