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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glacial Stone Form a Community Hub in an Icelandic Landscape

Authors:
Haoyu Chen, Jackson Sidney Killick, Junjie Zhang
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glacial Stone Form a Community Hub in an Icelandic Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and native glacial stone, the design integrates with the Icelandic landscape to create an educational and recreational hub that fosters community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates native glacial stone, creating a strong connection to the local landscape.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and views.
04
Employs cross-laminated timber panels for efficient construction and structural integrity.
05
Integrates geothermal energy systems to minimize environmental impact.

### Overview
The "Quadratura of Ice" is an architectural project situated in Iceland, designed to engage with the region's distinctive landscape and geological heritage. The intent is to create a structure that not only serves functional purposes but also reflects the natural beauty and cultural narratives of Iceland. The design integrates innovative materials and forms to achieve a harmonious relationship between the built environment and its setting.

### Spatial Organization
The layout is strategically organized to accommodate diverse visitor experiences while facilitating social interaction. Key components include a welcoming entrance and informational center that educates visitors about the site’s ecological significance. Public amenities, such as a café and sauna, are thoughtfully located to enhance user comfort during seasonal activities. Integrated art spaces allow for cultural engagement through community exhibitions, while dedicated viewing decks provide opportunities for relaxation and appreciation of the surrounding vistas.

### Materiality and Sustainability
The architecture employs a diverse palette of materials that emphasize both durability and integration with the environment. Native stone is utilized alongside modern metal cladding, creating a tactile contrast that echoes the site’s geological characteristics. Large glass panels promote transparency and natural light, enhancing the connection between the interior and the exterior landscape. The building is powered by geothermal energy from the nearby Krafa Power Station, highlighting a commitment to sustainable practices, and prefabricated construction techniques minimize waste and carbon emissions during development.

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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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