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Fluid Spiral Design Featuring Glass and Timber for Palliative Care Facility

Fluid Spiral Design Featuring Glass and Timber for Palliative Care Facility
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A fluid spiral form constructed with glass and timber panels integrates natural elements to create a serene environment tailored for palliative care.
5 key facts about this project
01
Fluid spiral form enhances natural flow and accessibility.
02
Extensive use of glass maximizes natural light and views.
03
Central courtyard integrates healing gardens with community spaces.
04
Charred wooden shingles provide both durability and aesthetic contrast.
05
Natural ventilation design optimizes indoor air quality and comfort.

### Project Overview

**Title**: Zenith
**Location**: Humber Bay Park East, Toronto, Canada
**Type**: Urban Hospice

Zenith serves as a space dedicated to adults seeking solace and spiritual healing in the natural setting of Ontario Lake. Designed to function as both a hospice and a community connection point, the facility aims to address the stigma surrounding terminal illnesses while fostering a supportive environment.

### Architectural Composition and Materiality

**Form and Materials**
Zenith adopts a flowing spiral form that is designed to harmonize with its environment. The use of glass facilitates abundant natural light and offers expansive views of the surrounding landscape, fostering an atmosphere of tranquility. To enhance warmth and comfort, natural timber is incorporated extensively, while concrete provides necessary structural integrity and balance within the design. Minimal use of steel ensures durability in critical areas without detracting from the overall organic aesthetic.

**Landscape Integration**
The building is expertly situated within a diverse natural landscape that includes rocky terrains and waterfronts, intentionally preserving the area's ecological features. Prominent landscaping elements, such as a central fountain and informal garden spaces, emphasize reflection and community interaction, establishing a strong connection between the hospice and its environment.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience

**Interior Layout**
The interior layout features two central elements: a central fountain that serves as a point of relaxation and a garden courtyard that facilitates organic movement throughout the space. The design promotes user-friendly circulation with communal seating areas that encourage social interactions, while private areas are thoughtfully positioned to allow for personal reflection without isolating individuals from the community.

**Ventilation and Lighting**
Strategically placed skylights enhance the interior ambiance by mimicking natural outdoor boundaries, while the building's innovative ventilation system prioritizes energy efficiency and comfort. Reflective surfaces, particularly in the front-facing glass panels, create a visual dialogue with the waters of Ontario Lake, reinforcing the relationship between the indoor spaces and the surrounding natural beauty.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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