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Basalt Clad Community Hub Featuring Earth Plaster And Green Roof Integration

Author:
Léa Thérouanne
Basalt Clad Community Hub Featuring Earth Plaster And Green Roof Integration

Project in-detail

Utilizing basalt cladding and earth plaster, the community hub seamlessly integrates a green roof with its natural surroundings, serving as a multifunctional space for cultural exchange and local engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local basalt as a primary exterior cladding material.
02
Incorporates a central patio to enhance natural light and social interaction.
03
Features a green roof that blends into the surrounding terrain.
04
Employs straw bale insulation for improved thermal performance.
05
Includes an observation deck designed for viewing the Northern Lights.

The Telluric Community Centre is an architectural project located near Lake Myvatn in Iceland. This facility serves as a multifunctional space aimed at fostering community engagement and promoting cultural exchange. The design embraces a circular form, seamlessly integrating the building with the surrounding landscape, while prioritizing sustainable practices throughout its construction and operation.

The architecture of the Telluric Community Centre encapsulates a deep respect for local traditions and the environment. Its layout is carefully organized into public, semi-public, and private zones, facilitating flow and accessibility. Public areas include a café and workshops, while more private spaces are allocated for artist studios and community events. The central patio serves as a gathering point, allowing natural light to permeate the interior and enhancing spatial experience. This focus on communal interaction underscores the project’s primary function of serving local residents and visitors alike.

Unique Design Approaches

The design of the Telluric Community Centre is distinguished by its commitment to sustainability and ecological sensitivity. It incorporates local materials, such as wood and basalt, reflecting Iceland's geological and cultural context. The use of earth plaster in the interior enhances thermal efficiency while creating a natural aesthetic. Additionally, insulation made from straw bales and sheep wool demonstrates innovative approaches aimed at reducing environmental impact.

The building's orientation towards Lake Myvatn is another notable feature. This strategic positioning not only frames picturesque views but also engages users with the surrounding environment, promoting a connection to nature. The implementation of a green roof further enhances sustainability, extending the outdoor landscape while improving energy efficiency.

Architectural Diversity and Community Integration

The Telluric Community Centre exemplifies architectural diversity through its flexible spatial configurations. Public zones are designed to accommodate a range of activities, from exhibitions to educational workshops, promoting a sense of community ownership. The inclusion of natural ventilation systems and rainwater harvesting further supports the project’s sustainability goals, showcasing a commitment to resource management.

Innovative considerations such as the incorporation of an observation deck facilitate unique experiences, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic views of both the building and the lake. This aspect of design highlights the project's role in enhancing the user experience, making it a vital resource within the local context.

Exploring the details of the Telluric Community Centre offers valuable insights into contemporary architectural design focused on sustainability and community engagement. For a comprehensive understanding, readers are encouraged to review the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas associated with this project, highlighting its distinctive approach to blending architecture with the environment and community needs.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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