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 Wood Shingles and Concrete Embrace Nature in a Brewery Spa Retreat

Author:
Katherine Harvey
Charred Wood Shingles and Concrete Embrace Nature in a Brewery Spa Retreat

Project in-detail

Featuring charred wooden shingles, expansive glass panels, and a concrete structure that harmonizes with the Icelandic landscape, this brewery spa retreat offers an immersive experience of relaxation and community.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic and functional sustainability by enhancing durability against the harsh climate.
02
Large glass panels frame panoramic views of Lake Mývatn, fostering a strong connection with the natural surroundings.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels create a lightweight structure while ensuring energy efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
04
The innovative bent A-frame design allows for unique interior spatial dynamics, enhancing user experience within the facility.
05
Integrated outdoor terraces offer guests direct access to scenic landscapes while combining spaces for relaxation and socialization.

### Location and Context
The "Rise Above Beer Spa and Brewery" is strategically located across from Lake Mývatn in Iceland, where the unique geological features of the landscape play a crucial role in shaping the architectural design. Surrounded by striking craters and a tranquil body of water, the intent is to cultivate an immersive environment that connects visitors to the natural beauty of the region.

### Spatial Configuration and User Experience
The architectural layout is designed to facilitate an engaging experience for visitors through a carefully arranged distribution of spaces. The project integrates various amenities, including shared and private sauna facilities, which provide wellness-related activities with views of the surroundings. Proximity between the brewery and leisure areas fosters social interaction, allowing patrons to sample crafted beers while observing the brewing process. Upper and lower patios enhance user engagement with the landscape, serving as both contemplative and social spaces that promote a connection to the vistas beyond.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration
Material choices reflect the local geological context and contribute to the building’s aesthetic and functional durability. Concrete forms the primary structural framework, conveying strength and permanence. Wood accents, particularly at entry points and within the interior, introduce warmth and contrast against the concrete surfaces. Expansive glass windows are incorporated to maximize natural light and frame scenic views, while metal roofing and supports add modernity and robustness to the structure. The overall design incorporates sustainable practices, using natural materials to establish a respectful relationship with the environment, thereby enhancing the architectural narrative in alignment with local ecological principles.

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