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Curved Perforated Bricks Embrace Serenity in Reflective Memorial Space

Authors:
Jing Hui, Khushboo Sood
Curved Perforated Bricks Embrace Serenity in Reflective Memorial Space
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Perforated brick walls and gentle curves create intimate spaces for reflection, offering a serene environment for remembrance within the peaceful context of a cemetery.
5 key facts about this project
01
Perforated brickwork allows natural light to filter into the interior, creating a serene ambiance.
02
The building's curvature promotes a smooth flow, enhancing the visitor experience.
03
A central pine tree is integrated into the design, providing a focal point for reflection.
04
Chambers are arranged to evoke nostalgia, encouraging personal connections to memory.
05
The landscape design features a rippled form that connects the architecture to its natural context.

The Columbarium at the Forest Cemetery in Riga, Latvia, serves as a place for remembering loved ones. Set in a calm landscape, the design encourages reflection and contemplation. Through its carefully considered form, the space invites visitors to embark on a thoughtful journey, fostering connections between memory and nature.

Architectural Concept

The design focuses on guiding visitors along a specific path, leading them from entry to exit in a clear direction. This chosen circulation ensures a meaningful experience, where each step prompts introspection. The building features a gentle curve, which facilitates movement and accommodates various levels, allowing everyone to access the space comfortably.

Spatial Composition

A façade of perforated bricks defines the exterior, creating a play between light and shadow against sturdy concrete columns. The columns taper slightly, softening the strong presence of the structure and allowing it to connect harmoniously with the surrounding environment. These divisions between chambers evoke a sense of nostalgia, inviting visitors to approach each niche while also relating to the overarching roof shaped like a bird in flight.

Interior Experience

Upon entering, visitors find themselves in a foyer characterized by a feature wall made of perforated bricks that let in ample light. This design element connects the interior to the natural world outside, where glimpses of the forest are visible. Inside, each chamber contrasts light and space, encouraging stillness and contemplation. The curved roofs link seamlessly to the awnings, echoing the graceful forms of birds resting on branches, reinforcing the overall theme of connectivity.

Garden Integration

At the heart of the Columbarium lies a central pine tree, surrounded by a serene fish pond. This gentle space offers visitors a quiet moment for reflection. The garden contributes to an atmosphere of calm, providing a point of pause before exiting the structure. Seasonal changes are captured in the design, with renderings that illustrate the emotional journey of remembrance, highlighting the ties between life, nature, and memory.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

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.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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