Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Clerestory Windows and Stacked Stone in a Privacy-Focused Guesthouse

Author:
Stephanie Engelking
Clerestory Windows and Stacked Stone in a Privacy-Focused Guesthouse
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With clerestory windows framing views of the Aurora Borealis and locally sourced stacked stone providing a sense of connection to the landscape, the guesthouse offers both privacy and communal space in a carefully organized layout.
5 key facts about this project
01
Clerestory windows provide views of the Aurora Borealis from guest rooms.
02
Locally sourced stacked stone enhances the connection to the surrounding landscape.
03
Zoned layout separates public and private areas to prioritize guest privacy.
04
A double-height library encourages community engagement among guests.
05
Horizontally clad in wood siding, reflecting local architectural styles.

The Iceland Thermal Springs Guest House is located in the unique rocky landscape of Iceland, designed to encourage a connection between the built environment and nature. Serving guests of the Vogafjos Farm Resort, the guest house aims to offer a balance of privacy and shared experiences. The design focuses on comfort and accessibility, allowing visitors to engage with the tranquil setting while feeling at home.

Site Plan

The site plan demonstrates a clear organization of spaces that highlights transparency at the entry while positioning public areas further inside the building to maintain guest privacy. This layout creates an inviting environment upon arrival, allowing guests to transition smoothly into communal and private areas that promote relaxation and contemplation.



Architectural Elevations

The building's elevations reveal careful planning that maximizes views and natural light. On the north side, ground-floor guest suites feature full-height windows, providing exposure to the landscape. Above, oversized clerestory windows on the second floor enable guests to take in the beauty of the Aurora Borealis from their rooms. A public conservatory enriches the experience by offering wide views of Iceland's remarkable scenery.



Spatial Organization

The guest house has been thoughtfully arranged into distinct zones to meet different needs for privacy and access. The Green Zone offers open access to all resort guests, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The Blue Zone allows public entry during specific hours. In contrast, Red Zones are designated only for guests staying in the house, ensuring a higher level of privacy.



Interior Details

Inside, a self-service check-in desk supports a smooth process for guests, enhancing feelings of independence. A library presents a curated selection of books on Iceland's culture, inviting visitors to relax by the fire while connecting to their surroundings. The centerpiece of the interior is a large fireplace made from locally sourced stacked stone, linking the warm indoor spaces with the rugged characteristics of the outside landscape.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
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

Recurring architecture competitions

new
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
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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