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Charred Wood Shingles and Geothermal Features Enhance Wellness Retreat Experience

Author:
RÓbert LiptÁk
Charred Wood Shingles and Geothermal Features Enhance Wellness Retreat Experience

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood shingles and integrating geothermal springs, the design establishes a unique wellness retreat that merges local brewing traditions with therapeutic bathing experiences.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wood shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural efficiency and sustainability.
03
Features geothermal springs integrated into bathing areas, promoting natural thermal therapy.
04
Employs a bent A-frame design, maximizing structural strength while minimizing material use.
05
Highlights local brewing traditions through interactive exhibits within the brewery space.

Myvatn Nature Beer Spa is located in Iceland and integrates the therapeutic qualities of a spa with the cultural heritage of brewing. The design aims to establish a connection between the built environment and the unique Icelandic landscape, emphasizing "therapeutic bathing" through the incorporation of local beer production and natural geothermal springs. This dual-functionality facilitates both wellness and cultural education, allowing visitors to engage with the local traditions of beer-making while enjoying spa therapies.

### Site Organization and Elemental Design

The master plan features two main structures: a brewery and a spa, each strategically positioned within the landscape. The brewery serves as an interactive space where visitors can experience the brewing process, characterized by an open layout that encourages engagement. The spa area is designed to function as a serene retreat, incorporating beer baths and relaxation zones that blend with the natural environment. Key design elements include the brewery's educational focus and the beer bath building's integration into the topography, enhancing the visitor's immersion in nature.

### Material Usage and Environmental Considerations

Sustainability and local material sourcing are central to the architectural expression. The design employs natural wood for warmth and connection to the landscape, steel for structural integrity, and concrete for durability and aesthetic contrast. Additionally, green roofs are utilized to seamlessly integrate the structures into the surroundings while promoting insulation and fostering local biodiversity. The landscape architecture features gentle terrain variations and water elements to create a dynamic interaction between architecture and nature, ensuring minimal ecological disruption while enhancing both aesthetic appeal and recreational opportunities.

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

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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

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