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Wind-Driven Reflection Within Wooden Niches in a Peaceful Columbarium

Authors:
Jamin Seo, Guen-il Huh
Wind-Driven Reflection Within Wooden Niches in a Peaceful Columbarium

Project in-detail

Crafted with wooden niches that invite the wind to carry memories, the columbarium serves as a tranquil space for reflection and remembrance amid nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted to enhance natural air flow, the wooden niches allow for a unique interaction with wind.
02
Designed to promote personal reflection, the pathway gently guides visitors toward remembrance.
03
Constructed with sustainable materials, the building embodies a connection to its environment.
04
The incorporation of light plays a crucial role, creating shifting patterns throughout the day.
05
Each niche accommodates personal tributes, fostering individual connections with memories.

The House of Winds is a design that brings together human experience and nature. Located within a carefully planned landscape, it serves as a columbarium, a space for remembrance and reflection. The design concept focuses on coexistence, creating a peaceful environment that acknowledges the connection between life and the natural world.

Design Concept

The building takes inspiration from simple forms resembling a wooden cabin. This choice highlights a return to fundamental shelter, allowing the structure to blend comfortably with its surroundings. The path leading to the house is gently sloped, encouraging visitors to take their time while approaching. Each step along the way invites personal contemplation before entering the space.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the design emphasizes light and sound. Gaps within the wooden frames let the wind flow freely. This addition makes the interior a dynamic space where visitors can engage with the environment in a new way. As people move through, they are encouraged to reflect on memories, creating a deeper connection to the place.

Materiality and Function

The project uses materials selected for their tactile qualities and appearance. Wood is prevalent throughout the structure, providing a warm and comforting atmosphere. Stone is used to strengthen the overall design, ensuring stability. Concrete makes up the base, which helps the building stand firm over time. Together, these materials support the reflective purpose of the columbarium.

Niches for Remembrance

A key aspect of the House of Winds is its niches, which allow personalization through flowers and letters. Each columbarium features 192 niches, providing spaces for visitors to honor their loved ones in a meaningful way. This feature reinforces the memorial function of the house, turning it into a place for personal stories and memories.

As sunlight enters through the openings, it creates an ever-changing display across the interior, enhancing the experience of a space that is designed for quiet reflection and remembrance.

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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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