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Perforated Concrete Facade with Transparent Glass and Natural Wood Integration in a Memorial Space

Authors:
Cedric Harvey, Rose-marie Guévin
Perforated Concrete Facade with Transparent Glass and Natural Wood Integration in a Memorial Space
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A perforated concrete facade seamlessly integrates with transparent glass and natural wood elements, creating a contemplative memorial space that fosters reflection and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with a dual volume concept, incorporating a solid columbarium and a transparent pavilion.
02
Utilizes a perforated concrete facade to create dynamic light patterns throughout the space.
03
Integrates natural wood elements that enhance the connection with the surrounding landscape.
04
Incorporates negative spaces to facilitate personal reflection and communal interaction.
05
Embodies cultural narratives through adaptable design, accommodating diverse memorial practices.

The architectural project titled "Tesselle" is a thoughtfully conceived memorial space that intertwines the concepts of remembrance and community engagement. The design consists of two primary architectural volumes that create a dialogue between heaviness and lightness, embodying the dual themes of permanence in memorialization and the ephemerality of memory. The project aims to facilitate reflection, mourning, and celebration of life through its spatial organization and materiality.

One of the main components is the columbarium, designed to house individual urns within enclosed niches. This area is characterized by a solid structure that conveys the weight of memory and offers a private space for personal reflection. The arrangement of the niches is intentional, enabling a progressive experiences that encourages visitors to engage with their memories.

Adjacent to the columbarium is the contemplative pavilion, which contrasts starkly with the columbarium's heaviness through its transparent and airy design. This space is crafted to enhance interaction and community gathering, offering informal seating areas and garden-like environments that invite contemplation and shared experiences. The pavilion's design harnesses natural light through perforated surfaces, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow that evolves throughout the day.

Unique Design Approaches

What distinguishes Tesselle from traditional memorial architecture is its integration of light as an essential design element. The use of perforated walls creates patterns of light that foster a sense of change and reflection, embodying the passage of time. This approach encourages visitors to engage with their emotions in a meaningful way.

Additionally, the project interlaces various cultural narratives through its spatial expressions, making it adaptable to different traditions of remembrance. The columbarium and pavilion are designed not merely as structures but as facilitators of collective memory, fostering an atmosphere where individual and communal experiences can coexist.

Material selection also plays a critical role in shaping the identity of Tesselle. The use of concrete for structural elements conveys durability, while metal and glass enhance the feeling of transparency and connection with the surrounding landscape. This careful choice of materials contributes to the overall experience and sentiment of the space, making it reflective of both weight and lightness.

Spatial Organization and Experience

The architectural organization of Tesselle emphasizes a seamless flow between the differing volumes, encouraging exploration and interaction. The niches in the columbarium are methodically arranged to allow visitors to navigate through them, fostering contemplation and personal connections to those remembered. In contrast, the open pavilion invites visitors to come together in remembrance, characterized by informal settings that prompt social interaction.

Ultimately, the design outcomes of Tesselle reveal an architecture that is both functional and evocative, engaging visitors in a dialogue about life, loss, and memory. The project stands as a significant contemplation space that supports individual reflection within a communal context.

To gain a deeper understanding of Tesselle, interested readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, and design ideas available in the project presentation, which offer further insights into this innovative memorial space.

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Kingspan MICROHOME 2026: Building Less to Create More

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Competition organisers

The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 competition invites architects and designers worldwide to rethink small-scale living by creating an off-grid, modular micro dwelling under 25 m². Now in its 11th edition, the contest emphasizes sustainable, innovative, and human-centered design that demonstrates how compact living can have a big impact.

With a €100,000 prize fund, entries will be evaluated for originality, efficiency, and their response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. The competition is open to everyone, with submissions allowed individually or in teams of up to four. Registration closes on 30 September 2026, and winners will be announced on 15 December 2026.

By celebrating creativity within strict limits, MICROHOME 2026 continues to push the boundaries of compact architecture and sustainable living.

MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 September 2026

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