Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Circular Shelter Featuring Local Motifs and Passive Heating Strategies

Author:
Wee Quek
Circular Shelter Featuring Local Motifs and Passive Heating Strategies

Project in-detail

With a circular form that integrates local motifs and optimizes passive heating, the design provides a communal shelter for trekkers in the challenging Icelandic landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular layout enhances social interaction while providing shelter from harsh winds.
02
Central fire pit as a focal point promotes communal gatherings and warmth.
03
Integration of local motifs reflects Icelandic cultural heritage and craftsmanship.
04
Passive heating is optimized through strategic window placement for natural light.
05
Durable materials like charred wooden shingles ensure resistance to the Icelandic climate.

## Overview
Located in the rugged landscape of Iceland, the cabin known as Huddle is designed to serve as a shelter for trekkers, emphasizing communal living and interaction with the natural environment. The project addresses the challenges posed by the harsh Icelandic climate while prioritizing comfort and safety for its occupants. The architectural approach reflects the themes of community, resilience, and the integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.

## Architectural Form and Spatial Strategy
The cabin's design features an organic, circular form, which not only resonates with natural shapes but also facilitates communal gatherings around a central fire pit. This layout fosters intimate interactions among visitors. The spatial organization divides the interior into communal areas and private bunk rooms, providing a functional flow while accommodating diverse uses. Central to the design is a patterned floor pit that serves as both a gathering point and a source of warmth, enhancing the multifunctionality of the cabin and allowing transitions from daytime retreats to evening gatherings.

## Materiality and Sustainability
The material selection for Huddle emphasizes durability and a connection to local cultural practices. Concrete serves as the primary structural element, ensuring resilience against severe weather conditions, while plaster enhances the warmth of the interior. Epoxy is utilized in high-traffic areas for water resistance and ease of maintenance, and steel elements introduce a modern aesthetic with design versatility. Additionally, strategically placed glass windows optimize natural light and create visual links to the surrounding landscape. Passive heating strategies including sunlight management reduce reliance on artificial heating sources, thereby contributing to the cabin's overall sustainability.

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

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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