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Ecological Haven Crafted with Glue-Laminated Timber and Expansive Greenery for Pediatric Care

Authors:
David Anania, Benjamin Turk
Ecological Haven Crafted with Glue-Laminated Timber and Expansive Greenery for Pediatric Care

Project in-detail

Constructed with glue-laminated timber and designed around a central courtyard, the facility fosters a calming, nature-infused environment for pediatric palliative care.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with glue-laminated timber for enhanced thermal efficiency.
02
Features a central courtyard designed for therapeutic outdoor activities.
03
Incorporates expansive glass panels to maximize natural light.
04
Utilizes eco-friendly materials to promote a sustainable environment.
05
Designed with flexible spaces to accommodate diverse family interactions.

## Project Overview

Located within a natural landscape rich in greenery and adjacent to a river, the Upstream Children's Hospice is designed to meet the needs of children facing life-limiting conditions and their families. The architectural intent focuses on creating a nurturing environment that prioritizes comfort and joy, facilitating both healing and connection. This report examines the project's key design elements, including conceptual framework, spatial configuration, and material choices.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience

The layout consists of a series of interconnected buildings, each with defined functions that contribute to an overall sense of community while allowing for privacy when needed. A central courtyard, landscaped with greenery and flowering trees, serves as a focal point, promoting interaction with the natural environment. The design emphasizes accessibility across multiple levels, ensuring that all spaces are navigable for children and their families. Outdoor pathways and gardens further enhance the therapeutic qualities of the site, providing opportunities for fresh air and outdoor engagement.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

The material choices reflect a commitment to sustainability and comfort while ensuring safety. Glue-laminated timber provides warmth and a natural aesthetic within the interiors, fostering a tranquil atmosphere. Extensive use of glass allows for optimal natural light, enhancing the sense of openness and continuity between indoor and outdoor spaces. Durable concrete offers structural integrity in communal areas, while wood cladding adds inviting textures to the building exteriors. The potential inclusion of natural stone in landscaping elements contributes to the site's earthy ambiance. Incorporating features such as green roofs and rainwater harvesting may also enhance the hospice's sustainability and therapeutic environment, supporting its overarching goals of care and comfort.

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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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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