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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
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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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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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