Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Charred Shingles and Glass Elevate Community Interaction Within Volcanic Landscape

Authors:
Tanay Verma, Flora Sheth, Alifiyah Merchant
Charred Shingles and Glass Elevate Community Interaction Within Volcanic Landscape

Project in-detail

Combining charred wooden shingles and expansive glass elements, the design integrates seamlessly with the volcanic landscape to create a multifunctional community hub focused on education and public engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Features cross-laminated timber panels to support sustainable construction practices.
03
Utilizes a bent A-frame design to maximize natural light and views of the landscape.
04
Integrates pathways that follow the natural topography for easy navigation.
05
Includes multipurpose spaces designed for community engagement and educational programs.

The Interloop is an architectural project situated within a unique landscape characterized by the nearby Herfjall volcano. This design focuses on improving visitor experience through an integrated approach that combines multifunctional spaces, circulation, and interaction with the natural environment. The project aims to facilitate a seamless connection between built structures and the diverse topography, while serving as a public hub for social, cultural, and educational functions.

The design incorporates various essential elements, including a Visitor Lobby that serves as the primary entrance to the building. This space guides visitors towards both the museum and café facilities. A highly functional multipurpose space is strategically positioned to maximize interaction with the landscape, while the observatory and archive seamlessly connect higher elevated viewpoints, offering opportunities for research and observation.

The pathways within "The Interloop" are thoughtfully designed to encourage exploration, featuring ramps that rise and descend parallel to the landscape's natural contours. This circulation method not only differentiates the visitor journey but also enhances accessibility throughout the project, promoting an inclusive environment. Each area is organized to support specific functions, while also allowing for flexible use to adapt to varying extents of visitor engagement.

Innovative design strategies underpin the project’s unique character. Firstly, the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces effectively blurs the lines between the architectural elements and the surrounding natural environment, allowing natural light to flood various parts of the building. This not only supports sustainability but also diversifies the experiences available to users. The use of glass, concrete, and steel as primary materials further emphasizes transparency, solidity, and resilience.

Moreover, attention to user experience ensures that the design promotes interaction at different levels. Visitors can engage intimately in cafés and co-working spaces, while expansive views from the observatory provide a broader context of the landscape. In addition, the project includes recreational facilities, such as an ice rink, that encourage communal use, fostering a sense of belonging among visitors and the surrounding community.

For those interested in gaining further insights into the various architectural components, it is advisable to review the architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas presented in relation to "The Interloop." Each of these elements provides a clearer understanding of how the project effectively marries functionality with aesthetic considerations, resulting in a well-rounded architectural response.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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