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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 Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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