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Cross-Laminated Timber Elements Create a Seamless Connection With Nature in a Hospice Environment

Authors:
Byeongseop Kim, Hyunseo Han, Lee Hojun
Cross-Laminated Timber Elements Create a Seamless Connection With Nature in a Hospice Environment

Project in-detail

Utilizing cross-laminated timber and extensive glass facades, the design fosters an intimate connection between residents and nature, creating a tranquil hospice environment focused on healing and comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for structural integrity and rapid construction.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features extensive glass facades that maximize natural light and views of nature.
04
Includes a tranquil garden designed specifically for therapeutic use by residents.
05
Emphasizes accessibility with thoughtful navigation paths throughout the facility.

### Project Overview

The hospice center located at 121 Embasy Road in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea, is designed to address the needs of patients and their families during end-of-life care. The architectural intent is to create a tranquil environment that fosters healing and provides essential support, blending innovation with a compassionate response to the challenges faced in hospice settings. Emphasizing the significance of culture and nature, the design integrates local architectural elements that resonate with the community.

### Spatial Strategy

The layout prioritizes patient mobility and autonomy by minimizing spatial restrictions common in traditional healthcare facilities. Individual patient rooms offer privacy and comfort, accentuated by views of surrounding gardens. Communal areas, such as lounges and therapy rooms, are strategically placed to facilitate social interaction while providing quiet retreats when necessary. The design also incorporates a central plaza that serves as a gathering space, effectively bridging private and public areas, thereby enhancing community engagement.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The architectural composition is characterized by the use of wood and glass, which align with the ethos of sustainability and natural integration. Wood, reminiscent of traditional Korean structures, not only serves a structural function but also contributes to a warm and inviting atmosphere. Extensive use of glass enhances connectivity to the outdoor environment and maximizes natural light, fostering a sense of openness. Concrete is utilized strategically to provide durability and low maintenance, while the landscaping incorporates local flora and environmentally sensitive materials to further harmonize the building with its surroundings, promoting both aesthetic and ecological sustainability.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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