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 Laminated Timber Creating a Sustainable Dining Experience in Volcanic Landscapes

Authors:
Keitaro Onishi, Tomotake Miyagaki
Charred Shingles and Laminated Timber Creating a Sustainable Dining Experience in Volcanic Landscapes

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and cross-laminated timber, this design integrates a greenhouse and restaurant into the volcanic landscape of Mývatn, promoting local food cultivation and dining experiences.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced lava stones for enhanced thermal performance.
02
Incorporates a transparent wall between the greenhouse and restaurant for visibility into food production.
03
Features a bent A-frame roof structure that complements the surrounding volcanic landscape.
04
Employs low-e glazing for energy efficiency while providing panoramic views.
05
Includes designed educational spaces to promote community engagement in sustainable practices.

"Flowing Frames" is an architectural project located in Mývatn, Iceland, designed to merge agricultural practices with culinary experiences. The facility houses a greenhouse and a restaurant, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and local food production. The design emphasizes the connection between nature and human activity, encouraging visitors to engage with the process of growing and consuming food.

The primary function of the project is to facilitate the production and consumption of locally sourced food while serving as an educational platform. The layout includes a series of interconnected spaces intended for dining, food cultivation, and community engagement. The seamless integration of the greenhouse and restaurant promotes transparency about food sourcing and sustainability practices.

Architectural Features and Unique Design Approaches

The architectural design showcases an elongated, pitched roof that connects the restaurant and greenhouse under a continuous form. This approach is not only visually cohesive but also practical, allowing natural light to infiltrate both spaces through expansive glass panels. The use of locally sourced lava stones for the walls adds to the building's thermal efficiency while ensuring that it harmonizes with the surrounding volcanic landscape.

A significant aspect of this project is its commitment to sustainability, evident in the material choices and construction methods. Reinforced steel framing ensures structural integrity against severe weather conditions, while low-e glass used alongside aluminum sash frames minimizes heat loss, contributing to energy efficiency. The strategic placement of spaces such as the educational zones and event areas further enhances the project’s community-centric approach, fostering interaction among visitors and offering opportunities to learn about sustainable practices.

Integration of Nature and Functionality

The transparent division between the greenhouse and restaurant allows diners to witness the food production process, reinforcing the farm-to-table concept. This design encourages a deeper appreciation for food sources and cultivates awareness around sustainability. The culinary space features large windows that provide panoramic views of the adjacent agricultural landscape, thereby connecting diners with nature.

The architect's intention to reflect the organic shapes of the volcanic topography is evident in the project's fluid forms and cohesive layout. The strategic combination of indoor and outdoor spaces creates an immersive experience that invites exploration and interaction with the environment.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the functional aspects and design methodologies at play in "Flowing Frames," the reader is encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, and specific design details available in the project presentation. This deeper insight will illuminate the careful thought and innovative approaches that distinguish this project within the field of architecture.

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