Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Pixelated Column and Void Space Creating Community Remembrance

Author:
Samaya Competition
Pixelated Column and Void Space Creating Community Remembrance

Project in-detail

A pixelated column rises toward the sky, surrounded by void spaces and sloped planes that engage the community in a somber remembrance of the Tamil Genocide.
5 key facts about this project
01
The memorial integrates three distinct elements to represent oppression, survival, and aftermath.
02
A pixelated column dissolves upwards, symbolizing hope amid loss.
03
The design includes sloped surfaces that guide emotional reflection.
04
Surrounding voids enhance community engagement and contemplation.
05
The site serves as a gathering space for commemorative events.

The Ninaivu Memorial is located in Chinguacousy Park, Brampton, Canada. It pays tribute to the victims of the Tamil Genocide during the Sri Lankan Civil War. This memorial is designed to honor those who lost their lives and to raise awareness about the historical struggles faced by the Tamil community. The design includes three distinct elements that guide visitors through the experiences of oppression, survival, and contemplation.

Paragon of Oppression

The first element, the Paragon of Oppression, features two large planes that create a narrow pathway leading to a stairway. This layout emphasizes the heaviness of the historical violence inflicted on the Tamil community. As people move through the constricted space, they are surrounded by a sense of confinement. This design encourages visitors to reflect on the difficult past and the challenges that the community has faced over time.

Paragon of Survivors

The next element is the Paragon of Survivors, marked by a pixelated column that rises toward the sky. This column symbolizes hope and resilience as it transforms from a solid base into a more open form. By ascending visually, it represents the journey of healing and remembrance. Visitors are encouraged to recognize and honor the lives lost while also thinking about the strength of those who survived. The structure invites engagement, establishing a deeper emotional connection.

Paragon of Aftermath

The final component, the Paragon of Aftermath, includes a slope and a tilted wall that enclose the monument. This design creates an open void, allowing space for thought and reflection. Visitors can engage with their feelings of loss and consider the lasting effects of the genocide. The arrangement of solid forms against empty space prompts a quiet understanding of the memorial's significance, encouraging introspection about the impact of such historical events.

The memorial also serves as a community space for the Tamil population, allowing for various gatherings and events. This design allows for a shared sense of identity among community members. The three elements work together to provide a cohesive narrative, grounding the themes of remembrance in personal and collective experiences.

The pixelated column stands out with its soft edges, shifting form, and elevation. It contrasts with the heavy planes of the Paragon of Oppression, suggesting a narrative of loss and resilience. This balance of form and space creates a significant representation of the community's ongoing journey.

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