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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 Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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