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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

Project in-detail

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

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Competition organisers

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

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competition now

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