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Porous Filigree Structure Enhancing Connection to Nature Through Remembrance

Authors:
Cait Mccarthy, Jordan Young
Porous Filigree Structure Enhancing Connection to Nature Through Remembrance
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The filigree structure, characterized by its porous walls and interconnected spaces, facilitates reflection and remembrance, creating a tranquil environment for honoring the deceased within a harmonious natural landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Filigree walls allow for natural light and airflow, enhancing the indoor experience.
02
The non-hierarchical layout promotes exploration and personal connections with memories.
03
Openings throughout the structure create dedicated spaces for reflection and contemplation.
04
Visitors can engage with mementos left by others, fostering a sense of community.
05
The design integrates seamlessly with the surrounding forest landscape, enhancing tranquility.

The Memory Museum is a thoughtful space located in Latvia, created to honor those who have passed away. It focuses on the idea of remembrance and how it connects the living with the memories of the departed. The design fits seamlessly into the natural surroundings, providing an environment that encourages reflection and connection.

Filigree Structure

At the heart of the design is a filigree structure, which serves multiple purposes. It holds urns and provides spaces where visitors can leave mementos and offerings. This design choice emphasizes the importance of personal artifacts, allowing individual stories to interact within a larger context. The museum's layout is non-hierarchical, inviting visitors to wander freely and explore the memories contained within.

Permeable Walls

The walls of the structure are open and porous, creating a link between the inside and outside. They allow light to enter, making the space feel warm and inviting. This design choice fosters a sense of calm. Visitors can find solace inside while still being aware of the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The permeability of the walls enhances the overall experience, promoting reflection on both personal and shared memories.

Design for Reflection

Openings throughout the building create areas for pause and contemplation. These spaces encourage visitors to take a moment to think deeply about their experiences and the memories they hold. The openings serve as visual connections to the world outside, reminding visitors of their relationship with nature. This thoughtful arrangement enriches the act of remembrance, helping to create a personal and communal atmosphere.

Visitors are encouraged to discover mementos left by others, which adds layers to their own perceptions of memory. The experience becomes a shared journey, where individual stories blend together in a meaningful way. The design of the Memory Museum fosters a tranquil yet engaging environment. It stands as a space for honoring lives and preserving legacies, allowing visitors to both remember and reflect.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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