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Curved Etfe Cushions Creating an Open Cinema Experience Within Iceland's Natural Landscape

Authors:
Haruki Asano, Ayaka Ogasawara, Yuichiro Tajima, Sakiko Noda
Curved Etfe Cushions Creating an Open Cinema Experience Within Iceland's Natural Landscape

Project in-detail

The use of curved ETFE cushions blurs the lines between projected imagery and Iceland's natural landscape, creating an immersive open cinema experience that connects viewers with their surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved screen design enhances visual connection between film and landscape.
02
Two-layer ETFE cushions provide varying transparency for dynamic lighting.
03
Open cinema format allows for varying visitor engagement positions.
04
Ecological restoration efforts focus on improving local soil and plant diversity.
05
Strategic layout adapts to Iceland's changing weather conditions.

WILD SCREEN features a design that brings cinema and the natural landscape of Iceland together. Set against deforested mountains and open views, the project reimagines what a cinema can be. By creating an open space, it allows visitors to enjoy films while engaging with the surrounding environment. This blend of film and nature deepens the connection to Iceland’s unique geography.

CINEMATIC INTEGRATION

The design moves away from the familiar dark, enclosed spaces of traditional cinemas. Instead, WILD SCREEN creates an inviting atmosphere that enhances the experience of watching a film. Visitors can appreciate both the movie and the beautiful Icelandic landscape simultaneously. This approach highlights the rich culture of Icelandic cinema and establishes a strong link to the area’s natural features.



CURVED SCREEN DESIGN

A key aspect of WILD SCREEN is the curved screen that forms a connection between the film and the outside world. Its unique shape helps merge the projected images with the landscape, allowing for various viewpoints. This flexibility lets visitors sit, stand, or lie down as they watch, encouraging a more immersive experience. The design invites viewers to engage with both the cinematic and natural elements in their surroundings.



MATERIALITY AND ECOLOGICAL STRATEGY

WILD SCREEN uses two-layer inflated ETFE cushions to provide varying levels of transparency. This material creates a play of light and shadow, linking the interior experience with the outside environment. Additionally, the design addresses environmental issues by incorporating a system that promotes soil health and supports plant growth. This effort aids in restoring the landscape and creates a richer ecological context.



SPATIAL LAYOUT AND WEATHER RESILIENCE

The layout of WILD SCREEN is carefully crafted to offer diverse experiences for visitors. The sloping terrain provides multiple ways to view the films, allowing for deeper interaction with nature. This design responds to the changing weather conditions in Iceland, ensuring comfort regardless of the season. Natural elements blend into the architecture, enhancing the relationship between the built environment and the surrounding landscape.



Light filtering through the ETFE cushions creates a unique atmosphere within the space. As the daylight changes, so does the feeling inside, enriching the viewer's experience in this open setting. This design detail emphasizes the connection between cinema and nature, inviting contemplation and enjoyment.

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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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