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Floating Pyramidal Roofs and Dolomite Niches in a Reflective Meadow Columbarium

Author:
Kevin Weiss
Floating Pyramidal Roofs and Dolomite Niches in a Reflective Meadow Columbarium

Project in-detail

A shallow pyramidal roof supported by slender columns allows natural light to fill the interior, where dolomite niches invite personal remembrance in a serene meadow setting dedicated to contemplation and memorialization.
5 key facts about this project
01
The oculus in the roof enhances natural light throughout the day.
02
The design incorporates textured concrete for durability and aesthetic appeal.
03
Niches are gently curved to promote a sense of community.
04
Engraved stones in each niche allow for personalized memorialization.
05
The site integrates a meadow to create a calming natural environment.

The Columbarium cum Limen offers a reflective space designed for both the living and the deceased. Located in a gently sloped meadow, it serves as a repository for the remains of the departed while also providing a place for people to commemorate and pay tribute. The overall design aims to create a meaningful connection between life and death, inviting visitors to contemplate their place in this cycle.

Form and Context

The building presents itself as a landscape feature, echoing traditional burial mounds. Visitors make their way along a path through the forest, leading to a structure that gradually becomes visible. This integration into the surrounding landscape emphasizes the building's relationship with its environment. The form encourages a sense of belonging and reflection, allowing nature and structure to coexist.

Spatial Organization

Inside, textured concrete walls define the space and provide a sense of enclosure. These walls surround niches that accommodate the remains of deceased individuals, lined with smooth dolomite stone slabs. Each niche can hold several urns, reflecting family connections while allowing for individual memorials. The careful arrangement fosters a community atmosphere while honoring personal remembrance.

Light and Atmosphere

A shallow pyramidal roof appears to float above the pavilion, held up by slender concrete columns. This design choice allows natural light to fill the interior, enhancing the atmosphere. A large oculus in the roof functions as a primary source of daylight, connecting the inside of the building to the elements outside. Visitors experience changing light throughout the day, enriching their time spent in the space.

Memorial Elements

The pavilion floor features a black granite disk inscribed with poems. This provides focal points for contemplation, inviting visitors to pause and reflect. Rows of stone benches offer seating for gatherings, creating a calm area for memorials. Each niche is identified by engraved stones or inscribed metal covers, fostering personal connections for visitors. The design encourages a sense of community and shared memory, making it a meaningful place for reflection and tribute.

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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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