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Oxygen Capsules and Water Walls in a Tranquil Healing Environment Designed for Lung Cancer Care

Authors:
MICHAŁ HATTWICH, KONRAD ZMYSŁO
Oxygen Capsules and Water Walls in a Tranquil Healing Environment Designed for Lung Cancer Care

Project in-detail

Incorporating oxygen capsules and a central water wall, this healing environment fosters recovery for lung cancer patients through a carefully designed landscape that promotes tranquility and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Oxygen capsules provide a private space for patient relaxation and meditation.
02
The central water wall enhances acoustic comfort and promotes a calming atmosphere.
03
Green roofs contribute to sustainability and biodiversity in the urban setting.
04
Natural timber is utilized extensively in furnishings to create a warm environment.
05
Dedicated pathways facilitate seamless movement between therapeutic and communal spaces.

### Project Overview

The Lung Cancer Care Center, known as the Waterwall Garden, is located adjacent to the Maria Curie-Skłodowska Hospital in Kraków, Poland. The primary intent of the design is to create a therapeutic environment that supports patient recovery and wellness through an integration of functional spaces and natural elements. The site promotes a relationship between the built environment and outdoor landscapes, featuring a central garden with water features that provide a restorative atmosphere for patients and visitors.

### Spatial Organization and Layout

The layout is strategically structured to encourage movement and interaction among users while offering varied spaces for relaxation and social engagement. Key areas include the Main Park Square, designed as a communal gathering point with seating surrounded by greenery; the Post-Treatment Recovery Center, which includes dedicated areas for oxygen therapy and consultations; and the Waterwall Patio, which extends the garden into an outdoor space for activities and connections with nature. The arrangement incorporates open, semi-private, and private areas, balancing the needs for community interaction and solitude.

### Materiality and Aesthetics

A thoughtfully chosen material palette contributes to a warm and inviting environment while ensuring functionality. Glass is utilized for façades and partitions, enhancing natural light and openness. Concrete provides structural integrity, while metal elements reinforce durability. Natural timber is incorporated into furniture and decking to achieve an organic aesthetic. The color scheme predominantly features yellows and greens, reflecting themes of renewal and vitality, which positively influence the mood of users. Special design features include oxygen capsules for relaxation, water elements that enhance the garden's calming atmosphere, and green roofs that exemplify sustainable design practices.

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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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