Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Cantilevered Views Supported by Cross-Laminated Timber and Glulam in a Geological Landscape

Authors:
Kohsaku Mitsuhashi, Hideya Fukushima
Cantilevered Views Supported by Cross-Laminated Timber and Glulam in a Geological Landscape
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Elevated by a cantilevered structure of cross-laminated timber and glulam, the tower seamlessly integrates into its geological setting, providing an educational observation space that highlights the tectonic landscape of Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated observation spaces are created through cantilevered sections that extend over a geological fissure.
02
The structure utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Charred wooden shingles are employed for exterior cladding, promoting weather resistance and natural aesthetics.
04
A bent A-frame design allows for an optimal balance between stability and spatial experience.
05
The project fosters educational engagement by integrating geological information displays throughout its spaces.

The Iceland Cave Tower is an architectural project located in a unique geological setting, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. This structure serves as a multipurpose observation tower designed to enhance visitor interaction with the surrounding landscape, while also providing educational opportunities about the geological significance of the site.

The design features a cantilevered staircase and a series of interconnected spaces that facilitate movement and exploration. The tower is constructed primarily from sustainable materials, including glulam, timber planks, and cross-laminated timber, all of which contribute to the building's aesthetic and structural integrity. The form expresses a connection to the geological context, reflecting the division between the tectonic plates in both function and appearance.

Unique Design Approaches

One significant aspect of the Iceland Cave Tower is its integration with the landscape. The building's elevations are engineered to mirror the contours of the land, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural environment. The use of cantilevered elements allows sections of the structure to extend over the fissure, creating unobstructed views of the surroundings and illustrating the tectonic activity that shapes the region. This approach emphasizes the dynamic relationship between architecture and geology.

Another aspect that sets this project apart is its focus on educational engagement. Designed to inspire curiosity about natural phenomena, the tower includes information displays and observation decks that encourage visitors to learn about tectonics, geology, and the area's ecological systems. The architectural design promotes a seamless flow of information and interaction, connecting guests to their environment in a meaningful way.

Functionality and Spatial Organization

The Iceland Cave Tower's design includes a well-considered spatial layout that caters to both individual visitors and group activities. Key components include a welcoming entrance area, a spacious waiting zone, and a café that serves refreshments. The suspended staircase not only provides access to observation platforms but also functions as a focal point within the design, drawing attention to the fissure below.

The observational areas are strategically located to offer expansive views of the landscape, maximizing the visual experience for visitors. The use of large windows and open spaces fosters a sense of connection with the surroundings, inviting guests to appreciate the natural beauty of Iceland.

For further insights into the architectural plans, sections, and overall design concepts of the Iceland Cave Tower, exploring the project presentation is recommended. Engage with the architectural designs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intentions and innovations behind this notable project.

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