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Linden Tree and Red Marble Define Contemplative Space for Reflection

Authors:
Tim Griffin, Nate Hulse, Alex Rodriguez, Ryan Landis
Linden Tree and Red Marble Define Contemplative Space for Reflection

Project in-detail

A suspended red marble ring accents the centralized chamber, while regional limestone walls frame contemplative niches, creating a serene environment focused on reflection and memory.
5 key facts about this project
01
Centralized chamber features a continuous bench for visitor introspection.
02
Crushed limestone zen garden serves as a transitional threshold.
03
Framed views are created by intersecting limestone-clad walls.
04
A linden tree symbolizes the cyclical nature of life within the space.
05
Suspended red marble ring emphasizes the theme of infinity.

The MIRC project is a contemplative space located in a carefully chosen landscape that addresses themes of life and death. The design centers on the relationship between light and shadow, creating a setting for personal reflection. As visitors move through a series of spaces aligned along a North and South axis, they encounter various areas meant to foster introspection and connection with the environment.

Central Chamber

At the core of the design is a chamber that serves as a key point connecting different meditative areas. This space features a continuous bench around its perimeter, allowing individuals to pause and engage in thoughtful consideration. The layout not only encourages interaction with the space but also deepens the connection to the philosophical ideas that underpin the project.

Zen Garden

Visitors enter through a northern pathway that leads into a zen garden made of crushed limestone. This initial space encourages contemplation on life and death, enhancing the themes of light and shadow. The zen garden serves as a peaceful transition, guiding visitors while setting an atmosphere conducive to reflection and mindfulness that characterizes the overall intention of the design.

Intersecting Walls

A network of intersecting walls defines the various spaces and provides framed views of the surrounding landscape. Clad in regional limestone, these walls create links to the local environment, contributing to the unity of the project. The choice of this material also adds a tactile quality, inviting visitors to engage more fully with their surroundings and enhancing their overall experience within the space.

Suspended Ring

Within the central chamber, a suspended red marble ring symbolizes the idea of life’s infinite nature. This feature draws attention and acts as a focal point for contemplation. It creates a dynamic visual element while reinforcing key themes. Its presence serves to invite pause, encouraging a moment of reflection in a space designed for such engagement.

The design integrates a linden tree, which stands as a living representation of life’s cyclical nature. Positioned thoughtfully within the chamber, its seasonal shifts bring another layer of connection between architecture and nature, enriching the experience of the space.

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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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