Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Natural Light and Emotional Support in a Wood-Centric Healing Environment

Author:
Lapo Batistini
Natural Light and Emotional Support in a Wood-Centric Healing Environment

Project in-detail

With wooden walls that enhance warmth and create a connection to nature, the facility offers a serene environment aimed at providing emotional support and comfort for terminally ill patients and their families.
5 key facts about this project
01
Wooden walls provide warmth and a tactile connection to the environment.
02
Natural light is optimized through strategically placed openings and internal courtyards.
03
The layout eliminates long corridors, prioritizing intimacy and comfort.
04
Common areas encourage emotional support among families during challenging times.
05
Design integrates with the Tuscan landscape, enhancing the experience of serenity.

Fiorile is located in the gently sloping terrain of the Tuscan countryside, about 3 kilometers from the nearest town. Designed for terminally ill patients, the facility aims to create an environment that promotes both comfort and emotional well-being. The design concept centers around creating a home-like atmosphere that encourages human connection while blending into the surrounding landscape.

SPACE ORGANIZATION

The layout encourages interaction among patients and their families. Common areas, such as a kitchen and living room, are designed to support social activities, providing essential emotional support during difficult times. Private rooms are designated for personal reflection, offering a space for solitude amid challenging situations. This careful organization of spaces promotes the significance of relationships in the healing process.

NATURAL LIGHT AND VENTILATION

Natural light is a central feature of Fiorile. Strategically placed openings throughout the building allow daylight to fill the interior. This feature brightens living spaces and connects them to the outdoor environment, fostering a feeling of openness. The design also includes internal courtyards, which optimize natural ventilation, helping to create a comfortable indoor climate that enhances the experience of occupants.

MATERIAL SELECTION

Material choices are important to the overall design of Fiorile. External walls are constructed to provide protection against ground humidity, which helps maintain a stable indoor climate. Internally, wooden walls serve a dual purpose: they are both structural and aesthetic. These walls conceal necessary supports while offering warmth and texture that distinguishes the space from typical healthcare settings. This focus on materiality adds comfort and a welcoming atmosphere.

AESTHETIC AND FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION

Fiorile avoids the typical hospital look by featuring a design that eliminates long corridors and harsh signs. This creates a friendly, approachable setting that feels more like home. The layout promotes family interaction with large communal spaces for shared experiences. This combination of aesthetic choices with practical considerations reflects a commitment to creating a thoughtful environment that prioritizes the needs of its occupants.

The design incorporates natural elements, carefully positioned to provide views of the landscape. Each room connects to the surrounding environment, creating a peaceful backdrop. Patients and their families can find tranquility as they navigate significant moments in their lives, supported by an architecture that understands the importance of connection and comfort.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy