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Intimate Niches Within A Time-Decaying Memory Hall

Author:
Nikolay Maslov
Intimate Niches Within A Time-Decaying Memory Hall

Project in-detail

With a focus on intimate niches and a time-decaying memory hall, the design creates a contemplative underground space that facilitates personal reflection and remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
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memory hall designed for intimate reflection niches for urns create personal memorial spaces dual ramps guide movement through emotional experience time-decaying elements symbolize the passage of connection underground layout emphasizes solitude and contemplation.

The architectural design entitled "Death as Interaction with Life" provides a thoughtful exploration of mortality and memory in an underground setting. It addresses the experience of loss and offers a space that encourages deep reflection and remembrance. Located beneath the surface, the design creates a retreat from everyday life, inviting visitors to engage with their feelings about life and death.

Conceptual Framework

At the heart of the design is a time-decaying underground space. This area symbolizes the gradual fading of connections to those who have passed. The concept creates both a physical and emotional environment that encourages visitors to contemplate their memories. This intentional design fosters a sense of peace, essential for the reflective nature of the space.

Spatial Arrangement

The layout includes a perimeter with niches for urns that hold ashes. These niches serve as memorials, inviting individuals to connect with their personal memories. The arrangement emphasizes the relationship between grief and remembrance, guiding visitors to process their emotions within a supportive environment.

Movement and Experience

A key feature of the design is a dual ramp system that changes how visitors move through the space. One ramp leads downward toward the memory hall, while the other allows for ascent. This thoughtful arrangement symbolizes the journey from sorrow to reflection. It encourages engagement with the environment, helping visitors navigate their own emotional journeys.

Memory Hall Design

The memory hall is a pivotal part of the design, providing private areas for contemplation. Visitors can reflect on their memories and the connections they share with those who have passed away. This emphasis on privacy acknowledges the unique experiences of loss and supports the project’s aim to address complex emotions in a sensitive way.

Overall, the design promotes an atmosphere of quiet reflection. The careful organization of the underground space allows for moments of personal connection and thought. The result is a sanctuary that honors the enduring bonds between the living and the departed. The experience offers a place for individuals to explore their feelings in a meaningful way, creating a thoughtful engagement with memory and loss.

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

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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

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