Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Hollow Brick and Concrete Retreat for Contemplative Remembrance

Authors:
Wenbo Zhang, Bo Liu
Hollow Brick and Concrete Retreat for Contemplative Remembrance

Project in-detail

Constructed with hollow brick and reinforced concrete, the chamber offers a serene environment for personal reflection and communal remembrance, emphasizing isolation and a connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Chamber designed to facilitate both personal isolation and communal gatherings.
02
Utilizes hollow brick for improved acoustic performance and aesthetic appeal.
03
Features integrated candlestick recycling system for sustainable practices.
04
Strategically positioned away from urban distractions to enhance tranquility.
05
Emphasizes connection to nature with extensive outdoor integration.

Grey Zone of TRANQUILITY is a memorial space designed to foster reflection and remembrance. Located away from the city's hustle and bustle, the project serves as a quiet place for individuals to come to terms with their emotions and connect spiritually with loved ones who have passed. The design centers on a chamber of memories that promotes a sense of peace and privacy, enabling visitors to experience solitude while still being in a shared environment.

Spatial Organization

The layout features distinct areas that carefully guide visitors through different experiences. There are zones dedicated to isolation, contemplation, and communal gatherings. This thoughtful organization helps people navigate the space based on their emotional needs. Individuals can move freely, whether they seek private reflection or wish to share moments with others, creating a balance of public and personal interactions.

Nature Integration

The design emphasizes harmony with the natural landscape. By situating the site away from urban distractions, it encourages a deeper connection to the environment. Natural elements are incorporated throughout the space, offering visitors a chance to experience tranquility outdoors. This relationship with nature enhances the overall calmness of the setting and allows for moments of quiet reflection.

Materiality

Key materials used in the construction include steel bar, concrete hollow blocks, reinforced concrete, and hollow brick walls. These materials ensure structural strength and durability. They also support the theme of memorialization, reinforcing the concept of permanence while acknowledging the fleeting nature of memory. The choice of materials adds depth to the overall aesthetic while serving a functional purpose.

Functional Features

The design includes practical elements, such as a candlestick area that captures and recycles wax oil. This feature reflects a commitment to sustainability, allowing visitors to engage in an environmentally conscious way. It highlights not just the memorial aspect, but also the potential for responsible practices within such spaces.

A central detail within the chamber invites visitors to pause and reflect. This element encourages contemplation and connection, serving as a reminder of the personal ties that define our relationships with memory and loss.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy