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Charred Wooden Shingles and Laminated Timber Huts Integrating Community Living in Icelandic Landscape

Authors:
Omid Kamvari, Masoud Saeedian, Faraneh Ghahremani
Charred Wooden Shingles and Laminated Timber Huts Integrating Community Living in Icelandic Landscape

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and laminated timber, the design creates a series of modular huts that harmonize with the Icelandic landscape while fostering communal living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while providing fire resistance.
02
Laminated timber panels allow for rapid, sustainable construction methods.
03
The design features a unique bent A-frame structure for improved snow shedding.
04
Modular huts can be easily relocated, adapting to seasonal changes.
05
Integrated rainwater collection systems promote ecological management on-site.
The Skála project represents a contemporary architectural initiative situated in the unique landscape of Iceland. This project aims to seamlessly integrate built structures into the natural environment while emphasizing sustainability and user adaptability. The design emerges from a deep understanding of local traditions and ecological considerations, providing a model for harmonious living within the landscape.

The primary function of the Skála project is to create a series of interconnected living spaces designed for communal use while allowing for individual privacy. Each unit, designed as a modular hut, facilitates social interaction among occupants while being versatile enough to adjust to changing needs over time. The design prioritizes accessibility to nature, providing numerous vantage points for occupants to appreciate the surrounding scenery and the Northern Lights.

The architecture features a decentralized layout, which minimizes infrastructure while promoting community engagement. Key components include timber and glass in the structural framework, leveraging local materials to enhance environmental coherence. Laminated timber provides structural support while ensuring durability and sustainability. Glass elements maximize natural light and offer expansive views, thus fostering a deeper connection with the external environment.

A distinctive aspect of the Skála project is its emphasis on mobility and adaptability. The modular nature of the huts allows users to relocate them based on seasonal changes or personal preferences, promoting a flexible living arrangement. Additionally, the architectural design incorporates innovative features such as rainwater collection systems and ground-source heat pumps, contributing to an eco-friendly approach to utility management.

Sustainability is further underscored through the architectural design, which employs natural materials that reflect the local context. The integration of green roofing systems enhances energy efficiency and biodiversity, promoting interactions between the built environment and the surrounding ecosystem.

The landscape architecture also plays a crucial role in the overall design; trails are deliberately planned to encourage exploration while minimizing disruption to the natural setting. This approach emphasizes a dialogue between the built form and the environmental elements, ensuring that the structures enhance rather than detract from the unique Icelandic landscape.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the Skála project, readers are encouraged to explore detailed architectural plans, sections, and designs that provide deeper insights into the design process and architectural ideas behind the project.
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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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