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Centrally Positioned Green Roof With Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Enhancing Visitor Experience

Authors:
Marc-antoine Chartier-primeau, Dora Lam, Konstantinos Fetsis
Centrally Positioned Green Roof With Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles Enhancing Visitor Experience

Project in-detail

Featuring a green roof and a façade crafted from cross-laminated timber and charred shingles, this visitor center enhances its natural surroundings while serving as an interactive hub for cultural engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Features a green roof that serves as an additional recreational area.
02
Incorporates local folklore themes throughout the visitor experience.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber for structural efficiency and sustainability.
04
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability and minimize maintenance.
05
Designed with a circular layout to promote fluid movement and interaction.

The Ring House Visitor Center is an architectural project situated in Iceland, designed to blend with the surrounding landscape while serving as an informative hub for visitors. This center is not merely a structure; it represents a confluence of natural beauty and cultural narrative, aimed at enhancing the experience of exploring the Icelandic environment. The project functions as a space for exhibitions, educational events, and public gatherings, all designed to engage visitors with the local culture and geography.

The architectural layout follows a circular form, which facilitates fluid movement and promotes social interaction among visitors. It features a central courtyard that serves as a gathering point while also allowing views of the surrounding geological features. The entrance is designed to draw visitors into the various functional areas, including exhibition spaces, administrative offices, and commercial outlets. An emphasis on connectivity ensures that visitors can easily navigate from one area to another while enjoying the aesthetics of the built environment.

Unique Design Approaches

A distinctive characteristic of the Ring House is its seamless integration with the landscape. The use of local materials, such as timber and structural glass, allows the building to resonate with traditional Icelandic architectural practices while still addressing modern requirements. The extensive use of glass in the façade not only enhances the visual connection to the outside but also maximizes natural light within the interior spaces.

The project incorporates a green roof, which serves multiple purposes: providing additional recreational space, allowing infiltration of rainwater, and reducing energy use by insulating the building. This innovative approach to roofing aligns with sustainable design principles, demonstrating a commitment to environmentally responsible architecture.

Architectural Ideas

Incorporating elements of Icelandic folklore, the Ring House engages visitors with narratives tied to the local culture, providing a deeper understanding of the region's history. The concept of a “Mirror of Sky,” exemplified by a central lake within the project, creates opportunities for reflection—both literal and metaphorical—encouraging visitors to engage with the surroundings.

The organization of spaces within the building optimizes functionality while maintaining a strong connection to the landscape. Pathways are designed to guide visitors through various experiences, integrating art installations and educational displays along the routes.

For those seeking further information on the architectural plans, sections, and overall designs, consider exploring the project presentation. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the architectural ideas embedded in the Ring House Visitor Center, illustrating how it stands apart from typical visitor centers through its thoughtful design and integration with the natural environment.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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