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Burnt Wood Shingles and Basalt Walls Shaping Community Narratives

Author:
Wing Chun Ng
Burnt Wood Shingles and Basalt Walls Shaping Community Narratives
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Constructed with burnt wood shingles and light-colored basalt walls, the Hall of the Moving Sagas serves as a communal hub for storytelling and cinema, deeply integrated into the Icelandic landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using sustainable materials, including burnt wood shingles and basalt walls.
02
The design prioritizes views of Hverfjall and Hlíðarfjall to enhance the connection with nature.
03
Intimate storytelling spaces accommodate diverse narrative formats, from oral traditions to film.
04
Raised timber boardwalks offer users access to lookout points integrating the building with its surroundings.
05
The Hall serves as a cultural hub, fostering community engagement through shared narratives.

The Hall of the Moving Sagas is located in Iceland’s striking landscape, designed to function as both a gathering space and a platform for cinema and storytelling. It reflects the Icelandic spirit through its architectural form and connection to the surrounding natural features. The design focuses on a long, narrow layout aimed at key views of Hverfjall and Hlíðarfjall, encouraging visitors to engage with the beautiful surroundings.

Design Concept
The Hall is built in a longitudinal shape that creates a fluid connection between the inside and the landscape outside. This design invites movement, leading visitors to explore the building while taking in the scenic views. The roof's expansive form enhances this openness, making the space welcoming and promoting community interactions.

Architectural Features
Sustainability and local building methods are key to the Hall's design. The roofing, made of Shou sugi ban burnt wood shingles, connects visually to the dark volcanic rock in the area. The light-colored basalt walls stand in contrast to the roof, providing balance and a clear link to the environment. The choice of materials reflects both the location and Iceland’s architectural heritage.

Interior Spaces
Inside, the Hall is designed for various communal activities, emphasizing storytelling's significance in Icelandic culture. There are intimate areas where storytelling can happen, fostering personal connections and reflection. These spaces are adaptable, accommodating traditional narratives as well as modern film presentations, allowing for a diverse range of experiences.

Connection to Landscape
A timber boardwalk circles the building, offering lookout points that enhance the experience of the natural setting. This feature encourages visitors to take in the surrounding beauty while adding to the building's role within the landscape. The concrete base provides stability for the Hall and creates a link between the structure and its environment, culminating in a design that harmonizes with the Icelandic landscape.

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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

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