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Light-Filled Spaces with Carbon and Wood for Community Support

Author:
Gloria pw Lei
Light-Filled Spaces with Carbon and Wood for Community Support

Project in-detail

With its expansive glass walls and central communal garden, the design incorporates carbon and wood to create a supportive environment for hospice care within an urban setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Central communal garden encourages interaction between patients and the public.
02
Expansive glass walls maximize natural light while connecting indoor spaces to nature.
03
Utilizes lightweight resin-impregnated carbon fiber reinforced concrete for structural efficiency.
04
Flexible programmatic spaces accommodate educational activities alongside hospice services.
05
Design promotes dialogue about mortality, integrating community support in daily life.

The Centre for Living & Dying Well (CfLDW) is designed to address the sensitive topic of death in a way that promotes openness and community engagement. Set in an urban area with an under-used green space, it offers a fresh perspective on hospice care, encouraging a connection between the hospice and the everyday lives of local residents. The overall design focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere that facilitates interaction and supports conversations about mortality.

Design Concept

The vision behind the Centre centers on the importance of community spaces in hospice care. A central garden forms the heart of the design, providing both a tranquil retreat for patients and a gathering place for families and friends. This garden is thoughtfully placed to promote interactions between users, seamlessly linking the hospice to the surrounding neighborhood. Surrounding the garden are a variety of spaces that offer different levels of privacy. These areas serve distinct functions, such as private consultations and open community events, allowing people to engage in meaningful ways.

Material Selection

Material choices play a significant role in the Centre's construction. Wood particle materials and lightweight resin-impregnated carbon fiber reinforced concrete have been selected for their strength and ability to create a warm, comfortable environment. These materials are intended to meet the structural requirements while fostering a comforting atmosphere. The combination of practical and aesthetic considerations supports the Centre’s mission of providing a peaceful space for end-of-life care.

Programmatic Integration

The Centre integrates a range of programmatic elements to benefit both patients receiving hospice care and the wider community. Educational spaces and areas for community classes are incorporated into the design, highlighting that the Centre is more than just a place for dying. It focuses on the living and aims to foster public dialogue about life's important moments. This approach encourages understanding and support within the community, moving beyond traditional views of death and dying.

A noteworthy design detail is the use of large glass walls that open up to the garden. This creates a strong connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors, allowing natural light to illuminate the interiors. The garden becomes part of the experience, promoting a sense of peace and connection with nature, which is essential for both reflection and social interaction.

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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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