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Sculptural Columbarium with Cast Concrete and Laminated Glass in a Natural Meadow Setting

Author:
Chris Falliers
Sculptural Columbarium with Cast Concrete and Laminated Glass in a Natural Meadow Setting

Project in-detail

Cast concrete forms and laminated glass define a sculptural columbarium, harmoniously integrated into a natural meadow landscape, serving as a space for reflection and remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
01
Individual columbaria are arranged into clusters, creating intimate gathering spaces for contemplation.
02
The design integrates pathways that reflect patterns from Latvian folklore, enhancing the visitor experience.
03
Polished cast concrete finishes showcase exposed aggregate, adding texture to the memorial landscape.
04
Laminated glass faces on memorial cells allow for personalized inscriptions and decorative elements.
05
The site is planned for a meadow of wildflowers and shrubs, emphasizing local biodiversity and environmental awareness.

The columbarium is designed as a sculptural field within a meadow landscape, bordered by a forest. Its setting fosters an inviting atmosphere for thought and remembrance. The design focuses on blending the built environment with nature while taking cues from the cultural context of Latvia.

Contextual Integration

Individual sculpted elements make up the columbarium, organized into clusters that create defined spaces for contemplation. This arrangement takes inspiration from traditional forest cemeteries and individual memorial sites. Pathways meander through the design, guiding visitors along a journey that reflects elements of Latvian folklore, enhancing the connection between memory and the landscape.

Light and Shadow Dynamics

The relationship between light and shadow is an important aspect of the design. The way shadows fall at different times of the day enriches the visitor experience and adds depth to the memorial nature of the space. Each columbarium cell includes memorial messages and names backed by subtle vessel forms, creating a visually appealing landscape that encourages personal reflection.

Landscape Elements

The landscape includes entry paths lined with birch trees, establishing a warm welcome. Additional planting of spruce and elm trees encircles the site, forming a natural clearing that supports the columbarium’s purpose. This area is intended for a meadow of wildflowers and shrubs, showcasing local biodiversity while also honoring endangered plant species listed in Latvia's National Botanic Garden.

Material Quality

The columbarium blocks are made from cast concrete with custom colors and aggregates. The polished finish reveals the texture of the aggregate, giving a tactile quality to the structure. Each block is designed to hold several memorial cells, with laminated glass faces allowing for personal inscriptions and decorative motifs. This careful choice of materials strengthens the connection to the surrounding environment, resulting in a peaceful and reflective place for visitors.

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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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