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Reflective Pond with Cantilevered Niches in a Tranquil Forest Setting

Authors:
Chen He, Zhiwei Liu, Wenkai Xu
Reflective Pond with Cantilevered Niches in a Tranquil Forest Setting

Project in-detail

Cantilevered niches are integrated with reflective water surfaces amidst a tranquil forest, providing a serene environment for remembrance and reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective pond edges create a mirror effect, enhancing the connection to nature.
02
Cantilevered niches allow for unique floral placements, fostering personal memorial experiences.
03
A single-pitched roof design directs attention toward significant areas within the site.
04
The colonnade structure echoes local tree trunks, reinforcing the architectural relationship with the forest.
05
Water feature serves a dual purpose of aesthetic appeal and sanitation for visitors.

The Columbarium in the Forest is focused on creating spaces for remembrance and reflection within a natural environment. Located in a dense forest, the project combines three main elements—a fountain, a pavilion-like building, and a small pond. Together, these elements work to provide visitors with varied opportunities for contemplation and connection to nature. The design emphasizes harmony between architecture and landscape, offering a serene setting for those seeking solace.

Fountain Experience

Visitors approach the site and first encounter a long fountain that stretches from the road to the lawn. This water feature enhances the area's visual appeal and creates a calm atmosphere. It also serves a practical role, allowing visitors to wash their hands after placing flowers and lighting candles—gestures of remembrance. The fountain marks the beginning of a reflective journey, drawing people into the deeper spaces beyond.

Pavilion Structure

A gentle slope leads to the pavilion-like building, which features a single-pitched roof that identifies its form. This structure directs attention toward important areas within the site. The entrance consists of a narrow, dimly lit passage that opens into a colonnade. The columns are designed to echo the surrounding tree trunks, helping to unify the architecture with the natural landscape. Various small doors invite visitors to explore, making the experience feel more personal and engaging.

Interior Arrangement

Inside the columbarium, visitors find two different types of rooms that offer varied experiences. One room features panels that cover niches for urns, along with a large round table for arranging flowers. The second room has small cantilevered platforms extending from the niches specifically for floral offerings. This layout accommodates both shared remembrance and personal reflection, allowing visitors to navigate emotional journeys. The different room depths add to the complexity of the experience, creating engaging spaces.

Pond and Pavilion Interaction

Leaving the columbarium brings visitors to a pavilion overlooking a peaceful pond. Here, the space shifts from openness to a more enclosed feel, framed by tall pine trees that enhance intimacy. A long bench near the pond provides a place to rest, while the pond itself features slender edges that create a reflective surface. This design detail invites quiet moments of contemplation, allowing visitors to connect with the surrounding environment. The calm reflections in the water provide a moment of pause amidst nature’s presence.

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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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