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Curvilinear Glass Facade and Eco-Friendly Foam Spaces in a Children’s Hospice

Authors:
Seonggyeong Kim, CHEOLWON YEOM
Curvilinear Glass Facade and Eco-Friendly Foam Spaces in a Children’s Hospice

Project in-detail

Featuring a curvilinear glass facade that captures the essence of playfulness, this children’s hospice harmoniously integrates eco-friendly foam play spaces with an inviting landscape, prioritizing comfort and community for its young occupants.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a series of playful, bubble-like forms that create visually engaging spaces for children.
02
A curvilinear glass facade maximizes natural light and connection with the surrounding landscape.
03
Innovative use of eco-friendly foam materials ensures safety and comfort in play areas.
04
The landscaping includes interactive elements, encouraging exploration and play outside the building.
05
Each room is oriented to provide views of the gardens, enhancing the therapeutic environment for occupants.
The project, referred to as "The Bubbles," is an architectural design tailored specifically for a children’s hospice. This innovative design signifies more than just a physical structure; it embodies a sensitive response to the unique needs of terminally ill children and their families. The architecture aims to create an environment that promotes not only medical care but also joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging. In recognizing the multifaceted experiences of children in hospice care, the design strategically integrates playful and nurturing elements that redefine the typical perceptions of such facilities.

At its core, "The Bubbles" serves as a refuge that blends clinical functionality with a vibrant, engaging atmosphere. The project’s overall form is reminiscent of bubbles, suggesting notions of lightness and playfulness, which serve to uplift the emotional state of its occupants. The design incorporates organic shapes and curves that veer away from the rigid lines commonly associated with medical buildings. This thoughtful approach results in spaces that feel more like home and less like an institutional setting.

The functionality of "The Bubbles" is multi-dimensional. The layout is carefully organized to foster interaction among children, families, and caregivers while retaining private spaces for reflection and quiet time. Common areas, designed for group activities and socialization, enhance community connections. These spaces facilitate a sense of togetherness, providing opportunities for shared experiences, such as story time, therapeutic play, and family gatherings. In contrast, private rooms are crafted to provide peace and intimacy, featuring large windows that invite natural light and bring in views of the surrounding garden, reinforcing a sense of connection with nature.

The materials chosen for this project significantly contribute to its identity. Using reinforced concrete ensures structural durability while maintaining the necessary flexibility in design to support the various shapes. Expansive glass elements are incorporated not just for aesthetics but also for their ability to foster transparency and openness, inviting the outside world in. High-density foam and softly textured fabrics create inviting play areas that prioritize safety and comfort for the children. These materials are thoughtfully selected to enhance the tactile experience of the environment, making it more engaging for its young users.

What truly distinguishes "The Bubbles" is its approach to emotional and psychological well-being. By prioritizing a design that resonates with the childhood experience, the architecture goes beyond mere function. It considers the fears and anxieties children may face in a hospice setting and actively works to alleviate those through whimsical design choices, vibrant colors, and engaging landscapes. The surrounding gardens serve as extensions of therapy, offering opportunities for outdoor play, exploration, and interaction with nature, which can be immensely beneficial for psychological healing.

The community engagement aspect of "The Bubbles" is also notable. By fostering spaces for interaction, the architecture encourages family unity and communal support, reinforcing the idea that no child or family should navigate their journey alone. The design invites visitors to feel welcomed, thus helping to normalize the processes that take place within the hospice, challenging the stigma that often accompanies such environments.

In summary, "The Bubbles" is a project that elegantly balances the need for clinical efficiency with a child-centric design ethos. The creative architectural solutions employed reflect a deep understanding of the complexities faced by terminally ill children and their families. This thoughtful melding of form, function, and emotional sensitivity positions the project as an exemplar of what capable architecture can achieve in sensitive contexts. Readers are encouraged to explore the detailed project presentation to gain deeper insights into its architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas, further appreciating the thoughtful intentions behind this innovative children’s hospice.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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