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Translucent Marble Facade and Sunken Ring Create Serenity in a Forest Columbarium

Author:
Jiries Alali
Translucent Marble Facade and Sunken Ring Create Serenity in a Forest Columbarium

Project in-detail

A sunken ring encircled by a translucent marble facade harmonizes with the natural forest setting, creating a contemplative columbarium designed for reflection and remembrance.
5 key facts about this project
01
Sunken ring design creates a defined transition from the surrounding forest to the interior space.
02
Translucent marble niches allow natural light to illuminate memorial spaces.
03
The circular layout promotes equal access and encourages shared remembrance.
04
Landscaping features seasonal flora to enhance the reflective experience.
05
Tessellated compressive structures contribute to both aesthetic and structural integrity.

The "Circle of Life: Chamber of Memory" is a columbarium situated within a forest cemetery, designed to reflect themes of remembrance, eternity, and nature. The project employs a circular architectural form that serves as a space for honoring the departed while fostering an atmosphere of tranquillity and contemplation. By integrating natural elements with functional design, it offers a serene environment for visitors to pay their respects.

The primary function of this architectural design is to serve as a memorial space for families and individuals to commemorate their loved ones. The circular configuration promotes inclusivity, allowing equal access to all niches dedicated to the memory of the deceased. This layout not only facilitates easy navigation but also enhances the contemplative experience within the structure. The project is strategically situated to seamlessly blend with the surrounding forest, ensuring that it respects and accentuates the natural landscape.

Unique Features of Design

One distinctive aspect of this architectural project is its use of a sunken ring that encircles the structure, creating a transition from the bustling exterior to the peaceful interior. This design element establishes a sense of arrival, guiding visitors into a contemplative space characterized by its simplicity and elegance. The use of translucent marble for the niche covers allows natural light to filter into the interior, creating a calming ambiance, while also symbolizing the connection between light and memory.

The incorporation of tessellated compressive structures contributes to both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The design reflects the local identity through material choices, integrating natural stone to provide a tactile connection to the earth. Additionally, glass walls maintain transparency, allowing the surrounding forest to be an integral part of the experience, fostering an emotional connection between nature and memory.

Architectural Details and Material Selection

Key materials utilized in the project include translucent marble, natural stone, and glass, each selected for their specific properties and contributions to the overall design. Translucent marble is used for its ability to diffuse light, creating a serene environment conducive to reflection. Natural stone serves both practical and aesthetic purposes, offering durability while maintaining harmony with the site's characteristics. Glass walls are significant in promoting visibility, ensuring that the exterior landscape remains a vital aspect of the interior experience.

The landscaping around the chamber plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall ambiance of the site. Seasonal changes in the garden create a dynamic backdrop that encourages visitors to engage with their memories through the evolving beauty of the natural surroundings. The design ensures that the experience within the Chamber of Memory remains in dialogue with the environment, reinforcing the project's central themes.

For those interested in further exploring this architectural endeavor, a detailed examination of architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas reveals a comprehensive approach to memorial architecture, reflecting a commitment to functionality, aesthetics, and environmental integration.

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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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