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Reflective Surfaces and Natural Stone Create a Serenity-Focused Hospice Experience

Reflective Surfaces and Natural Stone Create a Serenity-Focused Hospice Experience
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Utilizing natural stone and expansive glass facades, the design creates a harmonious environment that emphasizes reflection and tranquility, serving as a hospice for individuals in their final stages of life.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reflective surfaces embedded in the design enhance light quality and promote mindfulness.
02
Garden spaces are strategically placed to provide serene views from all patient rooms.
03
Natural stone walls create a connection to the earth and enhance thermal performance.
04
Adaptive spaces are designed for both personal reflection and family engagement.
05
The extensive use of glass blurs boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments.

### Overview

The hospice design project, “The Way to Eternity,” is focused on enhancing the experience of individuals approaching end-of-life stages. It is conceptualized to support not only physical comfort but also psychological and emotional well-being, acknowledging the spiritual needs of patients. The design is situated in a natural landscape, which is intended to foster a calm and tranquil environment.

### Spatial Strategy

The layout of the hospice emphasizes a continuum of care and connection among patients, families, and staff. The main structure features clean lines and open spaces that maximize natural light and establish visual connections to the surrounding landscape. Private rooms are designed to offer intimacy and privacy while incorporating large windows to provide personal views of nature. Common areas for group activities facilitate social interactions, underscoring the importance of community support during the final phase of life. Additionally, garden spaces are interwoven throughout the complex, creating inviting sanctuaries for reflection and interaction with nature.

### Materiality and Unique Features

The selection of materials plays a critical role in conveying themes of permanence and tranquility. Concrete provides structural integrity, while natural stone adds an organic texture that connects the built environment to the earth. Glass enhances transparency and lightness, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Wood is introduced to create warmth and comfort, mitigating the austere feel of other materials. Unique features such as reflective surfaces and water elements promote meditation and tranquility, while flexible spaces accommodate a variety of functions, from quiet reflection to communal gatherings. The integration of art throughout the space fosters dialogue and reflection on themes of life, death, and solace.

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The Next House: USA
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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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