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Healing Spaces Enhanced by Natural Landscaping and Sustainable Features

Authors:
Julie Piper, Tanya Anderson, Tim Oates, Lou Pallay
Healing Spaces Enhanced by Natural Landscaping and Sustainable Features
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Integrating water features with native landscaping, the design enhances its surroundings while providing a supportive environment for patients in terminal care.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a co-location strategy with a nearby daycare, fostering intergenerational interaction.
02
Water features enhance stormwater management while creating tranquil spaces for reflection.
03
Native landscaping minimizes irrigation needs and promotes local wildlife habitats.
04
The layout emphasizes natural light and open pathways to reduce the emotional burden of terminal care.
05
Intimate room scales facilitate comfort and privacy for patients and families.

The "Hospice - Home for the Terminally Ill" sits within a calm environment tailored to provide comfort and support for patients nearing the end of their lives. It is designed to foster a peaceful atmosphere where families can spend meaningful time together. The overall concept of the hospice emphasizes the importance of nature in creating a healing space, which guides the design approach throughout the facility.

Design Concept

The layout encourages interaction with both the interior and the surrounding landscape. Natural light floods the spaces, creating bright and airy environments. Pathways throughout the building are thoughtfully arranged to facilitate movement and exploration. This design helps users experience the various rooms and areas in a way that alleviates the pressures often felt in traditional healthcare settings.

Co-location Strategy

Placing the hospice alongside a school or daycare allows for a unique blend of activity and tranquility. This strategy not only maximizes staffing efficiency but also brings a youthful energy into the environment. Families can find support and distraction, while children can learn about compassion in a real-world context, creating a community atmosphere that softens the weight of terminal care.

Water Features and Landscaping

Water plays a vital role in the overall design, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. These features assist with stormwater management while enhancing visual appeal. The inclusion of ponds and wetlands reduces the need for additional irrigation and helps create a habitat that encourages wildlife. Together, these elements strengthen the connection to the natural environment, promoting a sense of peace for patients and families.

Sustainability and Community Spaces

Sustainability is integrated into the design through the use of solar panels and a green roof. These elements not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to the connection between the building and nature. Communal areas, such as gathering rooms and a library, provide cozy spaces for social interaction. An accessible boardwalk encourages all visitors to engage with the natural surroundings, offering quiet places for reflection and connection.

The hospice includes landscaped gardens featuring a variety of plants, providing serene settings where patients can focus on nature and find moments of calm.

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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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