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Light-Infused Space for Emotional Healing and Reflection

Authors:
Katharina Knebel, Daniel Ercin
Light-Infused Space for Emotional Healing and Reflection

Project in-detail

Utilizing a thoughtful interplay of light and space, the memorial creates an environment for emotional release and forgiveness, guiding visitors through their grief while honoring collective histories.
5 key facts about this project
01
The memorial integrates symbolic elements representing heaven and earth.
02
Diffuse lighting guides visitors through various emotional experiences.
03
The structure emphasizes a transition from grief to acceptance.
04
Spatial arrangements promote communal reflection and healing.
05
Careful attention to detail enhances the meditative quality of the space.

The Last Genocide Memorial is a thoughtful space designed to honor those affected by war and loss. Located in an area rich with history, the memorial functions as both a tribute and a refuge for emotional release and forgiveness. The design concept focuses on navigating grief and healing, guiding visitors from a place of sorrow toward a sense of reconciliation.

Symbolism and Structure

The design of the memorial connects elements of heaven and earth, representing the duality of loss and hope. The structure invites individuals to confront their emotions, acting as a physical reminder of the burden of grief. This relationship between the building and its deeper meanings encourages a reflective journey through personal and shared experiences of trauma.

Lighting as Experience

Lighting is integral to the memorial's atmosphere. Diffuse light streaming through carefully positioned windows creates a calm environment ideal for contemplation. As visitors move through the space, the changing light helps them transition emotionally, linking their internal experience with the outside world. This intentional use of light underlines the memorial's purpose by allowing visitors to feel relief when they exit.

Emotional Engagement

Visitors are encouraged to actively participate in their experience of the memorial, creating a collective space for remembrance and healing. The design helps individuals face feelings of anger tied to their losses, promoting an environment where forgiveness can be explored. The path from sorrow to acceptance is carefully considered, allowing the memorial to become a place for processing emotions in a communal setting.

The detailing within the memorial contributes to its meditative quality. Subtle textures and forms add to the sense of peace in the space. This focus on design and arrangement deepens the connection to the memorial's purpose, making the experience of releasing anger as meaningful as remembering those who have been lost.

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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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