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Fluid Spiral Design Featuring Glass and Timber for Palliative Care Facility

Authors:
Wanying Pei, Yeonjin Song
Fluid Spiral Design Featuring Glass and Timber for Palliative Care Facility

Project in-detail

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