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Light-Filled Sanctuary for Healing Through Memory and Reflection

Authors:
Lim Dabin, Han Seongju, Kim Ijin, Yu Hyewon
Light-Filled Sanctuary for Healing Through Memory and Reflection
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A corridor of light leads parents through a tranquil space designed for healing, where reflections on memory and loss are nurtured in a sanctuary that fosters emotional recovery.
5 key facts about this project
01
Meditation room utilizes a horizontal window to filter light for tranquility.
02
Piano room features a beam of light that enhances auditory memory.
03
Corridor symbolizes progression from darkness to light, guiding emotional healing.
04
Bedroom incorporates soft light to evoke a sense of hope each morning.
05
Kitchen and dining areas represent life’s continuity amid grief.

The Womb is designed as a sanctuary for parents who have lost a child. Located in a calming environment, the space serves to promote healing and emotional reflection. The design concept builds around the idea of the womb as a protective area that allows parents to process their grief while finding hope and comfort in their memories.

Conceptual Framework

The main idea is to create a place that reflects the different stages of grief. Each part of the layout serves a specific function, enhancing the healing experience through careful organization of space. Light and shadow play important roles throughout the design, symbolizing the balance between grief and hope. This creates an atmosphere that resonates with the emotional journey of the parents.

Unique Spaces

The project contains several distinct areas that address various aspects of mourning. In the meditation room, a horizontal window is positioned to filter light, casting gentle shadows that offer a sense of calm and introspection. This environment encourages parents to reflect and find comfort in their thoughts, helping them to connect with their feelings.

In the piano room, a powerful beam of light creates a blurred visual effect. This invites parents to remember their lost child. The piano becomes a tool for expressing emotions, reinforcing the bond between the parents and their cherished memories of the child.

Transitional Pathways

A notable feature is the corridor leading to the light of amniotic fluid. This pathway symbolizes a shift from darkness to light, representing the journey from sorrow to acceptance. The variations of light and shadow along this path deepen the emotional experience, guiding parents towards healing and renewal.

Design Elements

Furthermore, the bedroom embodies hope, as soft light gently awakens parents in the morning. The kitchen and dining areas symbolically reflect life continuing amid loss. Together, these spaces illustrate a revival of life through thoughtful design, ensuring that light permeates areas that may feel silent or empty. The architecture creates an environment that not only honors memory but also encourages progress in the healing process.

A notable design detail can be seen in how light interacts with different surfaces throughout the day. This dynamic relationship shifts and changes, mirroring the emotional highs and lows experienced by parents as they navigate their grief.

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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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