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Craters Form and Gabion Walls Shaping a Visitor Center Experience

Authors:
Lakshmi björt Þuríðard. jacob, Victor óli Búason
Craters Form and Gabion Walls Shaping a Visitor Center Experience

Project in-detail

Constructed with gabion walls utilizing local rocks and shaped to reflect surrounding craters, this visitor center enhances the Hverfjall hiking experience while providing essential educational resources.
5 key facts about this project
01
Gabion walls are constructed using rocks sourced directly from the site.
02
The shape of the building reflects the surrounding volcanic craters.
03
An existing outhouse was integrated to reduce environmental impact.
04
Flexible exhibition areas accommodate various events and educational displays.
05
A dedicated hiking trail enhances visitor experience and interaction with the landscape.

Eldgígur is an architectural endeavor located at the beginning of the Hverfjall hiking trail, designed to enhance the experience for visitors in a volcanic landscape. The building serves both as a functional shelter and an informative center. It aims to blend with its environment while offering educational opportunities about the unique geology and history of the region. The design draws inspiration from the nearby craters, allowing the structure to reflect the area's natural features.

Design Concept
The concept behind Eldgígur focuses on its connection to the landscape. The building's shape mirrors the contours of the craters, creating a dialogue between the structure and its surroundings. Clear accessibility is also an essential consideration. Thoughtful navigation ensures that visitors can move easily between spaces while absorbing the natural beauty around them.

Materials and Sustainability
Sustainable practices play an important role in the design of Eldgígur. The project makes use of existing structures, including an outhouse, to keep construction costs low and lessen environmental impact. Gabion walls, built with stones sourced from the site, support the commitment to local materials. By using resources found nearby, the project maintains a strong link to its environment and reduces the carbon footprint involved in material transportation.

Visitor Experience
The layout of Eldgígur is carefully designed to enhance visitor interaction. An extended trail leads guests to the top of the structure, creating a journey that offers information about the area's geology and history. By separating the exhibition space from the main facilities, noise is kept to a minimum, allowing for a peaceful setting that encourages engagement with the displays.

Adaptability
Flexibility is a key feature of the design, particularly in the exhibition area. This space includes walls that can be rearranged, supported by central beams. This adaptability allows for various events and activities, integrating different uses and making the area suitable for a range of exhibitions. Each design decision reflects an understanding of the need for a versatile facility that can respond to the needs of its users.

The building's design thoughtfully considers environmental factors, offering protection from strong winds while allowing ample natural light to enter.

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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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