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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 Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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