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Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Panels Create a Shelter for Aurora Viewing

Author:
Sheung shun Ng
Charred Wooden Shingles and Glass Panels Create a Shelter for Aurora Viewing

Project in-detail

Constructed with charred wooden shingles and expansive glass panels, the design offers an immersive experience for guests to connect with the captivating Northern Lights in an environmentally sensitive setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Uses charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic integration with the landscape.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels, providing both structural strength and environmental sustainability.
03
Designed with a bent A-frame structure that maximizes interior space while minimizing visual impact on the surroundings.
04
Features movable guest cabins that allow for flexible positioning oriented toward optimal aurora viewing.
05
Utilizes compact wind turbines, generating sustainable energy while connecting guests to the natural environment.
The Northern Lights Rooms project is a thoughtful exploration of architecture that harmonizes with its stunning Icelandic surroundings. This design is more than a mere structure; it represents a conceptual bridge between the built environment and the natural landscape, emphasizing the unique experience of witnessing the Northern Lights. The project serves multiple functions, providing guests with accommodations while fostering a deeper connection with nature. The architecture is carefully conceived to promote relaxation, exploration, and a sense of community.

The layout of the Northern Lights Rooms encompasses three primary components: the Host Home, the Guest Hub, and the Mobile Guest Cabins. The Host Home stands as a central gathering space where guests can enjoy dining and communal activities. Its open-plan design allows for ample natural light, with large glass panels providing unobstructed views of the sky. This intentional transparency enhances the experience of the auroras, making them a central aspect of life within the structure.

Adjacent to the Host Home is the Guest Hub, designed as a versatile space for social interaction. Here, different seating arrangements allow for shared meals and gatherings, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to engage with one another. These shared spaces are essential for fostering a sense of community and belonging, making the experience more enriching for visitors.

To accommodate varying guest preferences, the Mobile Guest Cabins are innovatively designed to provide flexibility. These cabins are engineered for comfort and are equipped with sustainable energy sources, particularly compact wind turbines that generate power for the cabins. The design prioritizes both mobility and environmental consciousness, allowing guests to reposition their cabins according to their desired views of the Northern Lights while ensuring minimal ecological impact.

The materials used in this architectural design exemplify a commitment to sustainability and functionality. Structural Insulation Panels provide excellent thermal efficiency, crucial for the colder climate of Iceland. High-performance glass maintains the warmth of the interiors while allowing for maximum light capture. Additionally, sustainable wood is utilized for interior finishes and furniture, contributing a warm and organic feel to the spaces. The integration of natural stone into pathways further enhances the connection to the surrounding landscape, ensuring that the architecture is seamlessly integrated with its environment.

One of the compelling aspects of the Northern Lights Rooms project is its distinctive architectural approach. By emphasizing organic forms and fluid transitions, the design mirrors the natural patterns of the landscape and the celestial events for which it is named. This focus on a synergy between the built and the natural serves to enrich the user experience significantly. Guests are not merely observers of the natural phenomena; the architecture invites active participation in a setting that marries comfort with ecological awareness.

In sum, the Northern Lights Rooms project stands as an important architectural endeavor that thoughtfully integrates function with experience. Its design reflects an understanding of place and enhances the allure of the Icelandic scenery, ensuring that guests can fully appreciate the beauty of the Northern Lights. For those interested in delving deeper, exploring the architectural plans and sections will provide further insights into the innovative design ideas that make this project unique. Engaging with the detailed architectural designs will enrich one’s understanding of how the Northern Lights Rooms harmoniously connect visitors with nature.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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