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Weathering Concrete Columns with Reflective Mirrored Surfaces for Contemplation

Author:
Barsha Pradhan
Weathering Concrete Columns with Reflective Mirrored Surfaces for Contemplation

Project in-detail

Vertical concrete columns, weathered by time and interspersed with reflective surfaces, create a contemplative environment that guides visitors through a natural landscape designed for reflection on life and death.
5 key facts about this project
01
Vertical structures weather over time, reflecting the passage of life.
02
Natural light shifts throughout the day, creating a dynamic atmosphere.
03
Reflective mirror installations enhance the connection between visitors and nature.
04
Ground cover promotes natural erosion, altering the landscape over time.
05
The design encourages introspection through carefully framed views.

The "Ever Changing Columbarium" serves as a contemplative space designed for reflection on life and death. Located within a natural setting, the design emphasizes a strong connection between the built environment and its surroundings. The concept focuses on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of existence, allowing visitors a serene place to process their feelings related to grief and acceptance.

Vertical Structures
The project features vertical structures that symbolize various phases of life. Made as reinforced concrete columns, these forms create a framework that enhances visitor experience while inviting them to connect with nature. As time passes, the concrete will weather, showing signs of corrosion and mold. This natural aging process reflects the transient nature of life, evoking contemplation about mortality and what it means to leave a legacy.

Natural Light and Shadow
Light plays a crucial role in the design. Careful attention is given to how natural light interacts with the vertical elements throughout the day. Shadows will shift as the sun moves across the sky, creating a dynamic atmosphere inside the columbarium. This interplay of light and shadow allows visitors to perceive the passage of time, enhancing the space's meditative qualities and inviting thoughtful reflection.

Reflective Elements
Mirror installations are integrated into the ground to enhance interaction between visitors and the vertical structures. These reflective surfaces not only enrich the visual experience but also create an illusion of depth, similar to what can be found in traditional sacred spaces like cathedrals or dense forests. Visitors are encouraged to see themselves and their experiences within this contemplative landscape.

Ground Cover
Varying grades of layered soil form the ground cover beneath the vertical structures. This design choice supports natural erosion and allows the landscape to change over time. These transformations echo the reality of life cycles and align with the project’s themes of transition and impermanence. The evolving ground cover offers a tangible connection to the natural processes that define the environment, reinforcing the narrative of change that runs through the columbarium.

As visitors navigate through the space, the vertical forms create a calming pathway where light filters in gently. The sun illuminates the area, casting warm glow and encouraging moments of introspection and connection.

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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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