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Healing Garden Integrating Glulam Beams and Natural Light in a Community-Focused Elderly Home

Authors:
Liam Fujita, Mathieu Howard
Healing Garden Integrating Glulam Beams and Natural Light in a Community-Focused Elderly Home

Project in-detail

With a focus on a Healing Garden and the use of glulam beams to create an airy, light-filled environment, the design redefines elderly living by emphasizing community engagement and connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a Healing Garden designed for therapeutic interaction with nature.
02
Incorporates glulam beams for enhanced structural integrity and aesthetics.
03
Features a communal kitchen that supports the farm-to-fork concept.
04
Emphasizes passive solar design to maximize natural light throughout the building.
05
Includes accessible pathways that promote mobility and social engagement among residents.
The Saúde project is an architectural design for an elderly home located in Portugal, focusing on creating a supportive environment for its residents. This facility is structured to enhance well-being through thoughtful design, marrying functional demands with sensitivity toward the needs of elderly individuals. Central to its layout is a series of communal areas that encourage social interaction, fostering a community atmosphere while ensuring privacy for individual residents.

The architecture represents a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors, prioritizing both physical health and social engagement. By incorporating features that promote mobility and connectivity, the project emphasizes the value of community living while addressing the unique requirements of an aging population. This elderly home is designed not just as a residence, but as a nurturing environment that supports independence and encourages participation in daily activities.

Unique Design Approaches
One distinguishing feature of this project is the Healing Garden, which acts as both a visual anchor and a therapeutic space. This garden is easily accessible and designed to engage residents with nature, providing both recreational and contemplative opportunities. Furthermore, the incorporation of the Farm-to-Fork concept allows residents to partake in food cultivation, promoting healthy eating habits while nurturing a sense of accomplishment and community through gardening activities.

The circulation within the facility further enhances its functional efficiency. A central courtyard serves as the hub from which various communal spaces radiate, including a communal kitchen and dining area, lounges, and reading rooms. This spatial arrangement facilitates easy movement among spaces while encouraging interaction among residents.

Integration of Natural and Sustainable Elements
The project makes extensive use of natural light and ventilation. Strategic orientation and window placement maximize daylight access, creating pleasant indoor environments that support health and well-being. Material selections emphasize sustainability, with concrete for structure, wood for warmth, and glass for transparency, creating a strong connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The use of local materials limits transportation impacts and fosters a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscape.

For further exploration of this architectural project and its numerous design elements, readers are encouraged to review the architectural plans and sections that provide deeper insights into the architectural ideas employed throughout the design. In doing so, one can gain a clearer understanding of how such projects can effectively address the needs of an aging population while maintaining a focus on community and health.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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