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Basalt Facade and Recycled Timber Enhance Thermal Spa Experience in Iceland's Unique Landscape

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Basalt Facade and Recycled Timber Enhance Thermal Spa Experience in Iceland's Unique Landscape
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Crafted from local basalt and recycled timber, the spa utilizes thermal waters in a design that seamlessly integrates with Iceland's volcanic landscape, offering a unique wellness experience rooted in the region's cultural heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from local basalt to reflect the region’s geological heritage.
02
Utilizes recycled timber panels sourced from nearby forests for sustainability.
03
Features a rooftop garden that offers panoramic views of the landscape.
04
Incorporates thermal waters directly sourced from the volcanic site.
05
Designed with communal spaces that enhance visitor interaction and community feeling.

### Project Overview
The Mývatn Beer Spa is located in the scenic region of Mývatn, Iceland. This facility integrates elements of local culture and sustainable design, highlighting a commitment to wellness through the unique lens of the local brewing tradition. Its architectural intent is to foster a tranquil environment that connects users with the natural beauty surrounding the spa.

### Spatial Organization and User Experience
The layout of the spa supports diverse experiences across multiple levels. The ground floor is dedicated to a brewery and café, allowing visitors to enjoy locally brewed beer before engaging in restorative treatments. The second floor encompasses the main spa area alongside a relaxation lounge, both designed to provide expansive views of the sky. This arrangement prioritizes both comfort and aesthetic appeal, enhancing the user experience while encouraging a sense of community and relaxation. The rooftop garden further extends the spa experience, offering an outdoor retreat amidst the natural landscape.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The design incorporates a variety of locally sourced materials that reflect both cultural and environmental considerations. Basalt, native to the region, serves as the primary façade material, ensuring durability while connecting the structure to the local geology. Recycled wood features prominently in the interior, representing a commitment to eco-friendly practices. Extensive glass elements flood the interior with natural light and provide visual continuity with the outdoors. The use of gabion stone enhances the building's structural integrity while integrating it seamlessly into the landscape. These material choices not only support sustainability but also deepen the connection between the spa and its environment.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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