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Translucent Marble Memorial Embracing Verticality and Community Reflection

Authors:
Haoyang Song, Kiwon Hong, Huiyuan Li
Translucent Marble Memorial Embracing Verticality and Community Reflection
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Inspired by the form of interconnected cubes and constructed with translucent marble, this memorial serves as a contemplative space for community reflection and education in the heart of Casablanca.
5 key facts about this project
01
The structure includes 45 distinct cubes, each representing an individual victim of violence.
02
Translucent marble is used to enhance natural light throughout the interior spaces.
03
Interconnected voids facilitate vertical connections and promote community interaction.
04
The ground floor features a public garden designed for communal gathering.
05
Upper levels house multi-functional areas for prayer, learning, and reflection.

### Overview
Located in Casablanca, Morocco, Urban Kerkour responds to the city's rich cultural and historical context, particularly in light of past tragedies. The design concept is based on the traditional "kerkour," a memorial structure that aims to integrate natural and urban elements while fostering community engagement in a densely populated area. This approach reflects a commitment to addressing the emotional landscape of the city while creating a vibrant space for reflection and interaction.

### Spatial Configuration
The spatial organization of Urban Kerkour is carefully structured across multiple levels to promote community interaction and functionality. The ground floor features an open hall and a garden, designed to create an inviting atmosphere conducive to gathering. The upper floors include designated areas for prayer, community activities, and educational resources, encouraging engagement among diverse user groups. A distinctive void on the sixth floor enhances the overall spatial experience and maintains visual connectivity across levels. Essential service spaces, including mechanical areas and exhibition rooms, are located on the top floor, ensuring the building serves a multifaceted role in the community.

### Material Selection
The material palette of Urban Kerkour plays a crucial role in establishing its identity and connection to the surrounding environment. Translucent marble predominates, offering transparency and lightness synonymous with the Mediterranean context. This choice facilitates a relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, while concrete provides structural integrity and durability. The use of glass ensures ample natural light permeates the interior, enhancing warmth and connection to the outside world, and steel offers necessary strength and flexibility within the framework. This thoughtful integration of materials creates a modern aesthetic that references traditional building methods, contributing to a dialogue between history and contemporary architecture.

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MICROHOME 2026
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The Next House: USA
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20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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100,000€ Prize / 2026

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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