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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
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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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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Competition organisers

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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