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Honed Marble Exterior and LED-Illuminated Niches Form a Tranquil Columbarium Experience

Author:
Johan Siim
Honed Marble Exterior and LED-Illuminated Niches Form a Tranquil Columbarium Experience

Project in-detail

Honed white marble and integrated LED lighting define a contemplative columbarium that blends personal reflection and community engagement within a landscaped park setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Honed white marble clads the columbarium, providing a calm and reflective surface.
02
Integrated LED lighting highlights individual niches, enhancing the ambiance during evening visits.
03
The design incorporates varied niche configurations, allowing for personalized memorialization.
04
Pruned hedging creates natural barriers while maintaining visual connectivity within the landscape.
05
Reflective metal seating fosters interaction and contemplation among visitors in communal spaces.
"Spatial Solace" is an architectural project designed as a columbarium that emphasizes both personal reflection and communal interaction. Located within a serene park setting, this design aims to create a contemplative environment dedicated to remembrance, allowing visitors to engage with their grief in a tranquil space. The project consists of a series of niches designed for the respectful storage of ashes, along with integrated seating and landscaped areas that promote a sense of peace and connection to nature.

Design Intent and Functionality

The primary function of this columbarium is to serve as a repository for cremated remains while fostering an environment where visitors can find solace. The architectural intent is to balance personal memorialization with public space, allowing visitors to navigate the site alone or in groups. The layout features distinct geometric arrangements, including various-sized niches that hold the remains of loved ones, as well as areas designed for community gatherings and solitary reflection.

Each niche is constructed from materials that enhance durability and aesthetics. Key materials used in the project include honed white marble for the exterior skin, which provides a clean and respectful appearance. In-situ concrete serves as the structural foundation, ensuring longevity, while LED light strips are incorporated to create ambient lighting that enhances the spatial experience during twilight hours. Polished mirrored metal is used for seating areas, offering reflective surfaces that invite contemplation and interaction.

Unique Design Approaches

What sets "Spatial Solace" apart from typical columbarium designs is its innovative use of forms and materials that prioritize both emotional resonance and functionality. The project employs varying geometric configurations to create a sense of intimacy within the space. Each section varies in size and arrangement, which allows for individual personalization, such as placing flowers or mementos.

The integration of pruned hedging serves to separate different areas while allowing visual connections within the landscape. This design choice enhances privacy for individual niches while still providing a cohesive perception of the overall site. Additional features, such as transitional benches and communal areas made from unified materials, facilitate interaction among visitors, encouraging a shared experience of remembrance and reflection.

Architectural details, such as meticulously designed niches with ambient lighting and natural landscaping, further enhance the emotional atmosphere of the columbarium. These elements work together to create a harmonious balance between structure and nature, making the project a noteworthy contribution to contemporary memorial architecture.

Readers interested in a deeper understanding of this architectural project are encouraged to explore the related architectural plans and sections. These documents provide detailed insights into the design strategies and innovative ideas that shape "Spatial Solace."
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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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