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 Wooden Shingles and Solar Integration in Modular Cabins Amidst Iceland's Wilderness

Authors:
Uroš Kogoj, Aljoša Lipolt
Charred Wooden Shingles and Solar Integration in Modular Cabins Amidst Iceland's Wilderness
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Utilizing charred wooden shingles and modular construction, the cabins provide sustainable accommodations that harmonize with Iceland's rugged landscape, offering a unique retreat for trekkers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather durability and fire resistance.
02
Incorporates modular design for efficient assembly and minimal site disruption.
03
Features cross-laminated timber panels, ensuring structural stability and thermal efficiency.
04
Includes a bent A-frame design that optimizes space and integrates aesthetically with the landscape.
05
Employs solar energy solutions to support sustainable heating and electricity needs.

## Analytical Report on the Iceland Trekking Cabins Architectural Design Project

### Overview

Located in the rugged landscapes of Iceland, the design of the Trekking Cabins aims to provide modular accommodations that balance comfort with environmental respect. The intent is to cater to eco-conscious trekkers and adventurers while integrating modern design principles with traditional hut forms. The result is a series of cabins that prioritize simplicity, functionality, and a close connection to the surrounding nature.

### Architectural Form and Arrangement

The design features a traditional pitched roof that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, effectively shedding snow and rain. The cabins are organized in clusters that promote communal interaction while preserving individual privacy. Large glazed surfaces punctuate the triangular profiles, ensuring ample natural light and expansive views of the wilderness. The materials employed reinforce this relationship with the landscape, utilizing dark-stained timber cladding that harmonizes with the region's earthy palette.

#### Key Design Elements

1. **Roof Design**: The upward pitch enhances the structural profile and promotes efficient rain drainage.

2. **Glazing**: Extensive use of windows fosters a strong visual connection with the outdoors, enriching the user experience.

3. **Exterior Finishes**: Sustainable timber cladding is chosen for its aesthetic alignment with the environment and its renewable properties.

4. **Interior Configuration**: A minimalist aesthetic is achieved with natural wood finishes, while vertical spatial organization optimizes common and sleeping areas.

### Sustainability and Technological Integration

The project employs various sustainable technologies to minimize its ecological footprint. Solar panels on the roofs capture renewable energy for electricity generation. Energy-efficient heating is facilitated through solar water heating and hot air systems, significantly lowering energy consumption. A rainwater collection system addresses water needs sustainably, while the layout is designed to maximize natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

### Adaptability and User Engagement

One distinct characteristic of the Trekking Cabins is their adaptability to seasonal changes, accommodating different configurations for varying weather conditions. This flexibility enhances the cabins' appeal to a diverse audience, from casual tourists to dedicated adventurers. The strategic spatial organization promotes community engagement while offering retreats for solitude, striking a balance between social interaction and personal reflection.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

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