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Reflective Steel Sphere Housing a Charitable Wishing Well

Author:
James Mills-london
Reflective Steel Sphere Housing a Charitable Wishing Well

Project in-detail

A spiraling mirrored sphere envelops a wishing well, creating an interactive space that encourages reflection and charitable contributions while serving as a memorial for the remembrance of genocide.
5 key facts about this project
01
A mirrored structure that reflects its surroundings, emphasizing themes of memory and loss.
02
The design includes a spiraling dome that creates an immersive environment for contemplation.
03
Visitors interact with a wishing well that serves as a metaphor for hope and charity.
04
Constructed using a steel frame for durability while enhancing reflective qualities.
05
The memorial focuses on the prevention of future genocides through active visitor engagement.

The Wishing Well: A Drop of Care serves as a genocide memorial, inviting reflection on the difficult themes of memory and humanity's historical responsibility. Located in a thoughtful setting, the design features a broken spherical form that engages visitors and encourages contemplation of the past. The concept emphasizes the complex relationship between remembrance and hope, using its unique structure to create an environment for deep engagement.

Conceptual Framework

The design showcases a seemingly fragmented sphere that blends with its surroundings. This form reflects and camouflages in its context, evoking a sense of disarray tied to historical narratives. The approach encourages viewers to confront uncomfortable truths, allowing the memorial to address the harsh realities of genocide while prompting personal reflections.

Structural Elements

Inside the memorial is a spiraling dome structure that feels heavy and constraining. This design envelops visitors and enhances the atmosphere, highlighting the emotional weight associated with remembering such events. The space guides individuals to engage thoughtfully with its purpose, fostering a connection to the stories held within.

Interactive Components

Beneath the dome, a mirrored wishing well captures the visitors’ reflections. This element serves as an interactive feature and a metaphor for hope amidst despair. Visitors are encouraged to contribute to charities focused on preventing future atrocities, reinforcing a sense of responsibility and agency. The act of dropping coins into the well symbolizes both individual contributions and the broader potential for change through collective effort.

Materiality

The material choices in the Wishing Well are intentional and practical. The structure includes a steel mirrored dome frame and a steel-framed sphere, enhancing its reflective qualities. Clear polycarbonate windows and glass floors promote openness, while concrete foundations ensure stability and durability. These materials come together to support the memorial's serious themes, creating a lasting tribute to history.

As light moves through the space, the reflective surfaces create a dynamic experience. Visitors see their own images, bringing them into a dialogue with the memorial. This interaction emphasizes the ongoing connection between the past and present, inviting reflection on the lessons that endure.

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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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