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Camouflaged Residence Crafted with Local Basalt and Sustainable Lupine Insulation

Camouflaged Residence Crafted with Local Basalt and Sustainable Lupine Insulation
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Blending seamlessly into the Icelandic landscape, this residence utilizes local basalt and lupine insulation to create an energy-efficient retreat designed for comfort and environmental sensitivity.
5 key facts about this project
01
Blending architectural form with Icelandic landscape through camouflage design.
02
Utilizes locally sourced basalt for exterior, minimizing environmental impact.
03
Incorporates lupine as an innovative insulation material, enhancing sustainability.
04
Features a south-facing orientation for optimal natural heating and light.
05
Designed to operate off-grid, utilizing geothermal and wind energy sources.

### Overview

Located in Iceland, the Hidden Crevice project exemplifies a contemporary architectural response to the island's rugged landscape and challenging climate. Designed with a focus on sustainability, the structure maximizes its connection to the environment while ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding terrain. The intent is to create a calming retreat that fosters a sense of well-being for its occupants.

### Spatial Strategy and Form

The structure's elongated form is partially embedded within the landscape, resulting in a design that minimizes its visual impact against the snow-covered terrain. The angular roofline enhances the dynamic profile of the building, echoing Iceland's geological features. Interior spaces are carefully organized to encourage interaction and relaxation, featuring a central warm rest area and communal spaces, such as an outdoor fire pit. Generously sized windows throughout the design invite natural light and provide unobstructed views of the surrounding scenery while ensuring privacy.

### Materiality and Sustainability

A deliberate choice of materials reinforces the building's connection to its natural context. The exterior is clad in rough basalt stone sourced from local quarries, promoting visual coherence with the landscape. Aluminum sheeting serves as a durable roofing solution, adept at withstanding harsh weather conditions. Inside, timber finishes provide warmth and comfort, balancing the exterior's ruggedness. Unique to this design is the use of lupine insulation, derived from local flora, enhancing both thermal performance and ecological sustainability. Geothermal heating and wind energy integration further contribute to the building's self-sufficiency, emphasizing an overarching commitment to environmental stewardship. The strategic orientation of the building maximizes sunlight exposure, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and enhancing energy efficiency.

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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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Competition organisers

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.

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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