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Reflective Niches in Black Marble Within a Forest Landscape

Authors:
Shenglan Xu, Jiaqi Li
Reflective Niches in Black Marble Within a Forest Landscape

Project in-detail

Concealed within a Latvian forest, reflective niches made of black marble invite contemplation on mortality, creating a serene space for remembrance and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Concealed niches integrate reflective surfaces to enhance the experience of hidden mortality within nature.
02
The design is inspired by the ancient Latvian Austra pattern, symbolizing temporal connections.
03
Small slopes in the terrain are used to manage rainwater, creating natural water features that reflect the niches.
04
Black frosted marble is used for niche construction, providing a visual contrast with the surrounding forest.
05
Birch trees are strategically planted to further blend the niches into the natural landscape.

The design explores themes of mortality and its connection to nature through the concept of "Invisible Chambers." The project sits within a forest, featuring hidden niches that encourage quiet contemplation of life and death. By integrating these niches into the natural landscape, the design reflects a respectful acknowledgment of mortality as part of the human experience, blending built forms with their surroundings.

Design Concept
-
The aim is to express acceptance of death as a part of the natural cycle. Niches are thoughtfully concealed among birch trees, utilizing reflective surfaces that help them merge into the environment. This approach symbolizes the often-hidden aspects of mortality, illustrating how life and death coexist in the natural world.

Cultural Inspiration
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The layout is influenced by the ancient Latvian pattern known as Austra. This pattern adds a layer of cultural significance and serves as a metaphor for the connections between past, present, and future. By incorporating such elements, the design creates a space that encourages thoughtfulness and reflection, allowing people to consider their place in the flow of time.

Terrain and Water Management
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Attention to the terrain is crucial, especially given the temperate broad-leaved forest climate of Latvia. The design includes small slopes that manage rainwater, guiding it to specific areas where puddles form during rainfall. This strategy not only enhances the site's visual interest but also reinforces the underlying theme of interconnectedness between human-made spaces and the natural environment.

Materials and Construction
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The niches are made from black frosted marble and encased in mirrored stainless steel. These materials serve practical and aesthetic purposes. The reflective stainless steel allows the niches to blend in with the surroundings, while the marble adds a contrasting texture. Together, they create a visual representation of the relationship between people and nature, echoing the main ideas behind the design.

The detailed approach captures the essence of life and death, with niches that are subtly integrated into the forest. This careful placement and choice of materials invite reflection, providing space for contemplation in a tranquil environment.

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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
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