Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Transparent Concrete and Stainless Steel Form A Contemporary Columbarium Emphasizing Light and Reflection

Authors:
Hanna Żylińska, Maciej Wiśniewski, Susan Zawadzka
Transparent Concrete and Stainless Steel Form A Contemporary Columbarium Emphasizing Light and Reflection

Project in-detail

Transparent concrete walls and stainless steel elements create a reflective environment in this columbarium, offering a serene space for memory and contemplation within the Forest Cemetery of Riga.
5 key facts about this project
01
Transparent concrete allows natural light to permeate the walls, creating a dynamic interplay of shadow and illumination.
02
Stainless steel elements enhance durability while providing a modern aesthetic that complements surrounding nature.
03
The arrangement of modular niches promotes both individual reflection and communal remembrance in the space.
04
Integrated solar panels support energy efficiency and sustainability within the columbarium's operation.
05
Pathways are designed for accessibility, ensuring comfortable navigation through the tranquil environment.

The Riga Columbarium project is a contemporary architectural intervention situated within the Forest Cemetery in Riga, Latvia. As a facility designed for the respectful storage of cremated remains, it provides a serene environment that harmonizes with its natural setting. The design reflects a balance between functionality and reverence, ensuring that visitors can memorialize their loved ones in a peaceful atmosphere.

The columbarium comprises a series of modular structures, each designed to accommodate individual urn compartments. By integrating nature and architecture, the design facilitates a reflective experience, allowing visitors to navigate through the site while engaging with the architecture. The arrangement of the modules promotes both solitude and community, encouraging collective remembrance in a tranquil environment.

Innovative Material Usage and Natural Light Interaction

A unique aspect of the Riga Columbarium is its use of transparent concrete, which facilitates the interplay of light and shadow within the space. This material permits daylight to filter through the walls, creating a dynamic experience that changes throughout the day. Such a design decision elevates the emotional depth of the columbarium, allowing visitors to perceive moments of quiet reflection influenced by natural light.

Additionally, the incorporation of stainless steel in the structural framework enhances the columbarium's durability while contributing to its modern aesthetic. The use of solar panels integrated into the roof structure underscores a commitment to sustainability, enabling the facility to operate efficiently while minimizing its environmental footprint.

Navigational Pathways and Accessibility

The columbarium's layout includes thoughtfully designed pathways that promote accessibility for all visitors. These pathways connect the various modules, encouraging exploration while respecting the existing topography and vegetation. The careful placement of each module and the surrounding landscape materials, such as grass and gravel, provide a seamless integration into the forested surroundings, reinforcing the peaceful ambiance that characterizes the site.

In summary, the Riga Columbarium project exemplifies an effective marriage of architecture and environment. Its thought-out design and the integration of innovative materials position it as a respectful space for memory and reflection.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of this architectural project, readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs associated with the Riga Columbarium, as these elements offer deeper insights into its innovative approach and functionality.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

`

The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy