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Circular Community House Featuring Glass Facades and Local Timber Integration

Author:
Hui Guo
Circular Community House Featuring Glass Facades and Local Timber Integration

Project in-detail

With its distinctive circular form and expansive glass facades, the community house seamlessly integrates local timber to create a versatile hub for gatherings and environmental stewardship around Lake Mývatn.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a circular form that maximizes natural light and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
02
Local timber is integrated not only structurally but also as a design element, enhancing cultural relevance.
03
Expansive glass facades blur the line between interior spaces and the natural environment, fostering a connection with nature.
04
Sustainable features include dedicated recycling spaces, encouraging community engagement in eco-friendly practices.
05
The building’s bent A-frame design provides unique structural integrity while enhancing aesthetic appeal.
The project focuses on the design of a community house situated by Lake Mývatn in Iceland, encapsulating the essence of its environment while serving as a vital space for local gatherings and interactions. This architecture represents a harmonious blend between human activity and the surrounding natural landscape, aiming to foster community connections and promote ecological awareness.

Functionally, the community house is designed to accommodate a variety of activities ranging from educational programs to social events, making it a versatile hub for the locality. The layout includes multipurpose halls that can be reconfigured depending on the event or gathering, educational spaces for workshops, a pleasant garden terrace for outdoor activities, and areas designated for sustainability initiatives such as waste collection and resource exchange. This functional diversity reflects a thoughtful understanding of community needs, tailoring spaces for both collective engagement and individual reflection.

The architectural design features a distinctive circular form that lifts gracefully from the site, creating a sense of buoyancy and allowing for expansive views of the breathtaking landscape. This silhouette is not merely aesthetic but serves a practical purpose, enhancing the building's visual connection to the sky and surroundings while inviting natural light into various interior spaces. The design contributes to a sense of openness and inclusivity, encouraging people to gather and share experiences.

A significant aspect of the project is its thoughtful approach to materiality. The use of materials such as glass, steel, concrete, and wood ensures that the structure is both durable and aligned with sustainable practices. The glass facades create transparency, allowing residents to connect with the ever-changing moods of nature outside, while the structural elements crafted from steel provide resilience. The choice of concrete adds stability and thermal mass, whereas wood contributes to a warm and inviting interior atmosphere. These materials are selected not only for their functional properties but also to resonate with the cultural context of Iceland, weaving the building into the narrative of its landscape.

Unique design approaches are also apparent in the careful orchestration of spatial organization within the community house. The arrangement of spaces is intuitive, fostering easy navigation and a fluid transition between different areas. This design choice enhances the user experience and promotes accessibility for all. The strategic placement of entry points further facilitates movement, allowing visitors to flow in and out of the building seamlessly while maintaining an appreciation for the surrounding topography.

The architectural outcome is not just a physical space; it is a reflection of a broader vision for sustainable living and community engagement. The project emphasizes environmental consciousness, encouraging occupants to consider their role within the ecosystem. The integration of spaces that promote recycling and resource sharing is particularly notable, as it strengthens community ties while advocating for responsible environmental stewardship.

This architecture stands not only as a meeting place for the local community but also as a cultural landmark that embodies the essence of Iceland’s unique character. It engages with the local community while drawing boundaries between human-made and natural elements, ultimately promoting a balanced coexistence. The project encapsulates architectural ideas that respond thoughtfully to context, form, and function while encouraging a lifestyle that respects ecological principles.

For those interested in delving deeper into this compelling project, exploring the architectural plans, sections, and various design elements will provide valuable insights into the vision and execution of this community house at Lake Mývatn. Engaging with these details can enrich your understanding of how architecture can serve community needs while remaining deeply rooted in the environment.
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MICROHOME
MICROHOME
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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