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Green Ribbon Roof With Impluvium for Reflective Columbarium

Authors:
Radimir Tyulkin, Roman Zaharov
Green Ribbon Roof With Impluvium for Reflective Columbarium

Project in-detail

A raised green ribbon roof shelters a circular columbarium designed for reflection and remembrance, integrating an impluvium for rainwater collection and fostering a tranquil connection with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
A raised green ribbon roof enhances the columbarium's connection with the natural surroundings.
02
Visitors enter in a counterclockwise direction to evoke a sense of returning to the past.
03
The design includes a circular layout that separates private reflection areas from public spaces.
04
An oculus and impluvium facilitate rainwater collection, promoting sustainability.
05
The ceiling's bowl shape creates a sense of lightness and openness within the interior.

The project "The Time Spiral" serves as a columbarium, a place where the living can remember and reflect on the lives of those who have passed away. Positioned at ground level, it emphasizes a deep connection with the natural environment, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The design encourages contemplation, allowing visitors to honor their loved ones in a serene setting.

Architectural Concept

The core idea of the design is that memory sustains a person's existence even after death. This notion guides the overall arrangement and purpose of the columbarium. Visitors enter in a counterclockwise direction, a choice that aims to evoke feelings of returning to the past. This carefully planned movement invites reflection, enabling individuals to engage with their memories more meaningfully.

Spatial Organization

The layout features a circular design with a gallery that separates areas for private reflection and public visitation. Niches for funeral urns are thoughtfully arranged to maximize the number that can be accommodated while maintaining an intimate environment. This organization addresses practical needs while also fostering a space where personal meditation can take place.

Natural Integration

The roof of the columbarium takes on the form of a raised green ribbon, blending the structure with the surrounding landscape. This design element reinforces the connection with nature, allowing the building to coexist with its environment without overshadowing it. The roof not only enhances the visual aspect of the columbarium but also emphasizes its spiritual purpose.

Light and Water Features

Inside, the design includes an oculus and an impluvium that work together to collect rainwater. These features serve both functional and aesthetic roles. The ceiling’s bowl-like shape adds to the lightness of the space, creating a close relationship between the interior and the outside. This blending of light and water elements enhances the experience within the columbarium, symbolizing the ongoing connection between life and memory.

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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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