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Curved Walls of Nordic Granite Envelop Intimate Spaces for Reflection

Authors:
Emily Liu, Cooper Hollett, Xinrui Cai, Sarah Tyl
Curved Walls of Nordic Granite Envelop Intimate Spaces for Reflection

Project in-detail

Curved walls of Nordic granite create intimate niches that invite personal reflection, establishing a serene memorial space for remembrance and connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved walls enhance privacy and comfort for visitors.
02
Niches accommodate multiple urns, promoting family remembrance.
03
Smaller openings allow for personal gestures like flowers and candles.
04
Nordic granite provides both durability and an inviting aesthetic.
05
Paving with 90mm stones ensures ease of movement throughout the space.

Chamber of Memories - The Circle of Life is a thoughtful space designed for remembrance and reflection. Located in a serene setting, it aims to connect the living with the memories of those who have passed away. The design emphasizes warmth and intimacy, offering an alternative to traditional memorial spaces often marked by sorrow and isolation. Instead, it focuses on the idea that death is part of a larger cycle of life.

Spatial Arrangement

The design includes a series of pathways that guide visitors through the memorial area. These paths encourage exploration and movement, allowing people to navigate between spaces dedicated to the living and the deceased. The layout symbolizes the continuity of life, suggesting that memories remain alive even after death. Each step invites contemplation, providing an opportunity to reflect on the bond between past and present.

Wall Design

Curved walls are a key feature of the chamber, providing necessary structure while also creating a sense of comfort. They enclose the space in a way that fosters privacy and closeness. Within these walls, niches are thoughtfully designed to hold urns, allowing families to come together in remembrance. Smaller openings for flowers and candles encourage personal gestures, inviting visitors to participate actively in the remembrance process.

Material Selection

A careful selection of materials adds both strength and visual appeal to the design. Nordic Black Granite is used for the niches and doors, giving a polished appearance that contrasts with the natural environment surrounding the space. Midnight Mist Black Mortar binds the granite securely, ensuring durability over time. Steel Shelf Angles provide structural support, while Concrete Footings create a robust foundation. Steel Grating is incorporated to manage water runoff effectively and to hide integrated lighting, enhancing the function of the area.

The paving consists of 90mm paver stones on a 50mm bedding layer, allowing for easy movement throughout the memorial. Each detail works together to create a space that honors memory while promoting connection among visitors. The design facilitates a quiet yet meaningful experience, where individuals can engage with their memories and the environment around them.

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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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