Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Light-Filled Memorial Crafted with Glass Bricks and White Elements

Author:
Yibin Li
Light-Filled Memorial Crafted with Glass Bricks and White Elements

Project in-detail

Constructed with glass bricks and white paint, the memorial serves as a contemplative space where light and reflection guide visitors through their emotional journeys of remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with glass bricks to enhance natural light and create a luminous interior.
02
The white-painted surfaces promote a calming and reflective atmosphere throughout the memorial.
03
The layout features a ceremonial pathway designed to guide visitors in their emotional journey.
04
Elevations are designed to offer varied light interactions and perspectives for visitors.
05
Accessible design ensures easy movement, allowing for interaction and contemplation throughout the space.

The Passing Fortress is a memorial that invites visitors to reflect on themes of loss and memory. Located in a tranquil landscape, the structure features a pathway that connects the surrounding tomb area to the main memorial. This design aims to guide individuals through their emotional journeys, transitioning from feelings of sorrow to a sense of acceptance.

Concept and Layout

The layout is centered around a clearly defined pathway that is narrow and symmetrical. This pathway directs visitors toward key points for reflection. Such an arrangement fosters a space for contemplation and personal interaction with memories and feelings. The white road landscape stands apart from the surrounding lawns and forests, clarifying the memorial's presence in the larger environment.



Spatial Dynamics

The elevations of the Passing Fortress create a harmonious interaction with light and space. Each elevation—north, south, east, and west—offers different views, enriching the overall visitor experience. This openness allows natural light to fill the structure, creating a natural discourse between the inside of the memorial and the outside landscape, helping visitors connect with nature while in a space of remembrance.



Materiality and Structural Elements

The design includes glass bricks, white paint, and aluminum alloy supports. Glass bricks serve to create a sense of enclosure yet maintain a connection to the outside. This allows light to filter in, giving the memorial a bright quality. White paint is used throughout, fostering a peaceful atmosphere. The aluminum alloy supports add strength to the structure without disturbing its overall design, supporting the building in an unobtrusive way.



Experiential Zones

The grave area is designed for easy accessibility, enhancing the memorial's function as a space for reflection and interaction. The main entrance fits well into the design, creating a smooth transition for visitors moving between different areas. The arrangements encourage visitors to find quiet spots for contemplation. Here, they can genuinely engage with the memorial's significance, surrounded by varying light and shadow that shift throughout the day.

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