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Circular Shelters with Skylights and Geothermal Heating in the Icelandic Landscape

Authors:
Huanlin Luo, Niaoniao Li
Circular Shelters with Skylights and Geothermal Heating in the Icelandic Landscape
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Circular guest shelters with skylights and geothermal heating immerse visitors in the Northern Lights while seamlessly integrating into the Icelandic landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Guest units are designed in circular shapes to optimize views of the Northern Lights.
02
Skylights are integrated into each shelter for direct celestial visibility.
03
A geothermal heating system utilizes local resources for energy efficiency.
04
Sustainable materials include concrete and wood, ensuring ecological integration.
05
The layout promotes communal interaction while maintaining guest privacy.

## Project Overview

Located near Mývatn Lake in Northern Iceland, the Hiringi project is designed to provide immersive accommodations for visitors seeking to experience the Northern Lights. The architecture reflects a commitment to harmonizing with the landscape while prioritizing guest engagement with this natural phenomenon. The design is informed by the unique topography and diverse ecosystems of the surrounding area, emphasizing an architectural response that resonates with the environment.

### Spatial Configuration and User Interaction

The project features a range of circular guest units that highlight adaptability and mobility while offering a comfortable retreat. Centrally situated, the main structure includes communal spaces such as a restaurant and sauna, fostering social interaction among guests. Ancillary buildings and thoughtfully integrated pathways enhance functionality within the rural setting, ensuring a cohesive and intuitive flow throughout the site. Each guest shelter, designed to accommodate single or double occupancy, is crafted over approximately 23 to 29 square meters, maximizing spatial efficiency through its circular form.

### Materiality and Sustainable Systems

The selection of materials reflects an emphasis on durability and environmental resonance. Structural concrete is utilized for stability, while extensive use of glass in skylights and windows facilitates a connection with the outdoors. Wood is incorporated into interior finishes, contributing warmth and texture. Sustainability practices are embedded within the design, including geothermal heating systems that are appropriate for the local climate, and insulation constructed from mineral materials to ensure thermal comfort. Skylights in each guest unit enable direct views of the night sky, enhancing the overall experience and aligning with the project's ecological focus.

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

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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.

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