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Mosaic Gravestones Amidst Seasonal Blooms in a Community Columbarium

Authors:
Yu Song, Shuangyun Chen
Mosaic Gravestones Amidst Seasonal Blooms in a Community Columbarium

Project in-detail

Concrete mosaic gravestones blend seamlessly with thriving flower beds in a community columbarium that invites active remembrance and nurturing of life.
5 key facts about this project
01
Community-focused design encourages families to actively care for selected flowers in memory of loved ones.
02
Concrete mosaic gravestones provide a durable yet visually engaging element to the memorial space.
03
Seasonal blooms are integrated into the columbarium, enhancing the connection to nature and life cycles.
04
Niches are designed specifically for urns, creating organized yet personal memorial spaces.
05
The layout invites regular visits, fostering ongoing relationships between the living and the deceased.

The Blooming of Death project introduces a new kind of memorial space within a columbarium setting, designed to foster reflection and connection. Located in a peaceful environment, the space blends nature with remembrance through the idea of blooming flowers, which symbolize life and continuity. The design encourages families to engage actively with their memories, transforming the experience of mourning into a celebration of life.

Design Concept

At the heart of the project is the understanding that death represents a transition rather than an ending. Visitors can select flowers that hold personal significance, allowing for a meaningful connection to their loved ones. Each flower offers distinct characteristics, such as color, scent, and seasonal aspects, enriching the memorial experience. By making thoughtful choices about flowers, individuals participate in creating a deeply personal remembrance of those they have lost.

Engagement and Memory

The layout of this memorial promotes regular visits from families, encouraging them to care for the flowers they have chosen. Each visit becomes an opportunity for reflection and bonding, reinforcing the connections between the living and the deceased. The blooming flowers serve as a reminder of enduring love and memory. This active participation helps shift the perspective on grief, making it a part of an ongoing relationship that involves care and attention.

Material Considerations

A concrete mosaic gravestone features prominently in the design, chosen for its lasting quality and ability to blend into the surroundings. The durability of this material allows for the memorial to withstand changing elements while maintaining an inviting appearance. Niches for urns are included within the overall design, serving both functional needs and contributing to the unified look of the space.

Transformative Spaces

The Blooming of Death project redefines typical memorial environments by emphasizing the ongoing connection between life and death. Engaging with the flowers not only honors memories but allows the columbarium to evolve into a living space filled with care and attention. Each arrangement nurtured over time becomes not just a tribute but also a lively representation of the bonds that remain strong, creating a harmonious atmosphere that holds the past and present together.

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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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