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Cultural Carvings and Turf Roofing in a Community Hull Structure

Authors:
Asad Mustafa, Muhammad Osama Khan, Nosherwan Qureshi
Cultural Carvings and Turf Roofing in a Community Hull Structure

Project in-detail

Carved cultural symbols adorn a hulled structure with turf roofing, creating a sustainable community space that honors Iceland's maritime heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cultural carvings are integrated throughout the interior to reflect local heritage.
02
The structure uses turf roofing for enhanced thermal efficiency and traditional practice.
03
Recycled steel is incorporated to minimize carbon footprint in construction.
04
Dug-in settlements surround the main hull, encouraging community interaction.
05
The hull shape symbolizes the maritime history of Iceland’s early settlers.

The Vessel is an architectural design located in Iceland that pays tribute to the region's maritime history. Its unique shape resembles the hull of a ship, partially emerging from the landscape and creating a strong link to the area's early settlers. The design focuses on minimalism, promoting a connection between the building and its natural surroundings while fostering community interaction.

Concept and Form

The structure uses a simple form that blends with the environment, aiming to avoid visual dominance over the landscape. By resembling a ship hull, the design marks a reference to the region’s cultural heritage while accommodating modern functions. This thoughtful integration helps the building sit comfortably within its natural context, allowing it to coexist with the local topography.

Community Engagement

Around the main hull, smaller dug-in settlements offer spaces for communal living. These areas are designed to encourage social interaction among residents, highlighting the importance of community in daily life. With thoughtfully arranged layouts, the design promotes gatherings and shared experiences, facilitating connections among inhabitants.

Cultural Significance

Inside, The Vessel features elements that reflect the beliefs of the original inhabitants. Carvings and cultural symbols are integrated throughout the interior, enhancing the sense of place and history. These details serve as reminders of the local heritage, reinforcing the building's role in celebrating and preserving cultural identity.

Sustainability Measures

Sustainability plays a key role in the building's design. The use of Ternary Cement and recycled steel helps reduce carbon emissions linked to construction. Roofs covered with turf improve energy efficiency and connect to traditional practices. Additionally, repurposed timber and materials show a commitment to a circular economy by making use of resources available in the local area.

The design culminates in open courtyards that invite natural light and airflow inside. This element not only enhances the living experience but highlights the project's dedication to sustainability and its cultural relevance in the Icelandic landscape.

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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

Enter an open architecture
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