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Concave Steel Roof Reflecting Volcanic Landscape in Northern Iceland

Authors:
Chen Yang, Fenglin Hong, Dingran Chen
Concave Steel Roof Reflecting Volcanic Landscape in Northern Iceland

Project in-detail

A concave mirrored roof reflects the volcanic landscape while a public courtyard and pool provide functional spaces for visitors in the Mývatn region, creating a unique resting point for hikers.
5 key facts about this project
01
Concave roof acts as a mirror, reflecting the sky and surrounding landscape.
02
Constructed with prestressed steel plates for enhanced structural efficiency.
03
Features a public courtyard integrated with a functional water pool.
04
Design guides visitors through a dark tunnel into an open communal space.
05
Located at the foot of Hverfjall volcano, providing direct access to hiking trails.

The café by Hverfjall Volcano is located in the Mývatn region of northern Iceland, characterized by its volcanic landscape and calm lake. The café serves as a rest stop for hikers and a comfortable meeting point for visitors. The design emphasizes harmony with the surroundings, featuring a roof that acts as a mirror to reflect the sky, enhancing the connection between the structure and its environment.

Roof Design
The standout feature of the café is its concave mirrored roof, which reflects the nearby Lake Mývatn. This roof's circular shape allows it to blend naturally with the landscape. It is elevated on one side, creating a sense of openness while maintaining a connection to the volcanic terrain below. The tapering design draws visitors' eyes upward, encouraging them to appreciate the expansive sky.

Structural Elements
The café is supported by four main columns made from prestressed steel plates. These columns provide necessary stability while keeping the overall structure light. Their placement ensures that the roof remains visible from the trails, marking the site in the landscape. This careful balance of form and function encourages interaction with the natural surroundings.

Public Space and Visitor Experience
Visitors enter through a dark tunnel defined by a large curved wall that opens into a public courtyard. On one side of the courtyard is the café, while the other side features a public pool for visitors to use. This design preserves the volcanic geology and offers a communal area for various gatherings, enriching social interactions among guests.

Interior Ambiance
Inside the café, the atmosphere provides a contrast to the outside. The layout separates the public areas from the working spaces, allowing for a comfortable visitor experience without disrupting service. Design elements draw inspiration from the local landscape, helping to connect guests with the stunning scenery around Hverfjall Volcano.

The café's mirrored roof serves not just as an architectural feature but as a reflection of the environment, creating a strong link between the building and the landscape it occupies.

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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

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competition now

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