Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Basalt Integration with Observational Spaces in a Northern Environment

Author:
Weronika Trzasko
Basalt Integration with Observational Spaces in a Northern Environment
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Incorporating basalt and wood, the Pavilion offers dedicated observational spaces designed to enhance the experience of viewing the Northern Lights while serving as a contemporary cinema.
5 key facts about this project
01
Pavilion oriented north for optimal Northern Lights viewing.
02
Dedicated observation areas enhance visitor engagement with nature.
03
Basalt and wood materials reflect local geological characteristics.
04
Café and mezzanine design encourages social interaction.
05
Specially designed roof provides expansive landscape views.

The Iceland Movie Pavilion is situated in the stunning landscape of Iceland, dedicated to providing a unique combination of cinematic experiences and opportunities for visitors to connect with nature. The design concept focuses on creating spaces that invite observation of the region’s remarkable phenomena, particularly the Northern Lights. This Pavilion balances function and form to foster a deeper appreciation of the surrounding environment.

Architectural Concept

The design promotes a relationship between the building and its natural surroundings. It is organized into three main observation areas. The cinema room occupies the southern section, creating an immersive space for filmgoers. Conversely, the northern part is intentionally left open to allow visitors to enjoy the landscape and scenic views.



Zoning and Arrangement

At its center, a lower hall features a café that serves as a communal gathering spot. Visitors can relax here, connecting with each other in a welcoming atmosphere. Above this lower hall, a mezzanine includes a bar area that offers elevated views of the surroundings. This thoughtful arrangement encourages people to move through the space while appreciating the connection between indoors and outdoors.



Materiality and Aesthetic Integration

The Pavilion uses natural materials that reflect the local environment. Basalt slabs and wood are incorporated throughout the design, emphasizing the geological characteristics of Iceland. These choices not only support the structural integrity of the building but also help it blend harmoniously with the landscape, enhancing the visitor experience.



Connection to Nature

Orientation is a crucial aspect of the building's relationship with its environment. By facing north, the design allows optimal viewing of the Northern Lights, aligning with the Pavilion's purpose as a platform for experiencing natural beauty. This careful positioning emphasizes the architectural intent to draw visitors closer to the vibrant landscape and its remarkable features.



A specially designed roof invites visitors to immerse themselves fully in the broad vistas around them. This detail reinforces the Pavilion's role in bridging human presence with the enchanting aspects of nature. The layout encourages a meaningful interaction with the environment, allowing people to observe and appreciate Iceland’s breathtaking scenery.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
Competition organisers

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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy