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Charred Wooden Shingles Emphasizing Sustainability in Iceland's Community Retreat

Authors:
Maryse Béland, Charlène Côté, Stefania Praf
Charred Wooden Shingles Emphasizing Sustainability in Iceland's Community Retreat

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wooden shingles and expansive glass panels, this community retreat in Iceland seamlessly integrates sustainable materials while providing a tranquil space for relaxation and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes charred wooden shingles for enhanced weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and efficient construction.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes interior space while minimizing environmental impact.
04
Designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding Icelandic landscape, promoting ecological harmony.
05
Includes multi-functional pavilions that encourage community engagement and recreational activities.

### Concept Overview
Located in the serene landscapes of Iceland, Kyrrð is designed to foster an immersive relationship between human experience and nature. The name "Kyrrð," which means a moment of tranquility, reflects the intent to create spaces that highlight the beauty of the environment, particularly the Northern Lights. The project integrates leisure, comfort, and community engagement within a setting that emphasizes the region’s dramatic natural features.

### Spatial Organization
The site plan consists of multiple pavilions organized around a central access road, facilitating movement while encouraging exploration. A key feature is the Public House, which serves as a communal area with bold geometric forms and large glass windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape. Inside, the design promotes social interaction with functional areas such as the kitchen and indoor galley. The guest houses, characterized by a dual-block configuration, emphasize comfort, featuring wooden interiors and panoramic glass walls that enhance the connection to the outdoors.

### Material Strategy
The material selection prioritizes sustainability and local context, employing elements such as locally sourced wooden cladding for warmth and insulation, and metal roofing for durability against Iceland's weather. Expansive glass panels integrate the interior with the natural environment, while concrete is utilized for structural integrity and aesthetic contrast. Additionally, landscaped gardens composed of native flora reinforce biodiversity and strengthen the project's ecological ties to the Icelandic landscape.

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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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