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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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