Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Curved Laminated Wood and Volcanic Earth Create a Functional Hub for Filmmakers

Authors:
Jozsef Kolossa, Bonifac Von Archicat, Bence Bujtor, Davor Robitschko
Curved Laminated Wood and Volcanic Earth Create a Functional Hub for Filmmakers
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Curved laminated wood and local volcanic earth form a sustainable and thermally efficient space designed to support filmmakers and foster community engagement in Iceland’s unique landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Curved laminated wood cladding enhances structural aesthetics while providing thermal insulation.
02
On-site volcanic earth filling is utilized for eco-friendly insulation and reduced transportation impact.
03
The building’s flexible spaces accommodate various community and film-related events.
04
Natural light is maximized through strategic design, creating dynamic interior atmospheres.
05
The bent A-frame design reflects the organic shapes found in Iceland’s landscape.

The architectural design project "Blóm Norðurljósanna," or "Flower of the Northern Lights," is situated in Iceland and serves as a multi-functional space dedicated to filmmakers and storytellers. By integrating the local landscape and climate, the project reflects a commitment to sustainability and innovative design while providing facilities that support cultural production. The building aims to connect art and nature, drawing inspiration from the region's unique narrative and atmospheric conditions.

The design utilizes a blend of curved laminated wood cladding and a parallel timber space frame, emphasizing organic forms and structural integrity. The primary function of the building includes a main cinema hall for film screenings, an entry hall and exhibition space for community gatherings, and additional areas for gallery exhibitions and workspaces. Each aspect of the interior is designed to facilitate interaction and creativity among users while promoting an immersive experience linked to the environment.

Unique Design Approaches The architectural approach taken in "Blóm Norðurljósanna" distinguishes it from typical projects in several ways. First, the integration of on-site volcanic earth filling not only provides thermal insulation but also reduces transportation emissions associated with traditional construction materials. This approach aligns with the project's sustainable goals and minimization of environmental impact.

Additionally, the design prioritizes the use of natural light, creating a dynamic interaction between the indoor spaces and the climatic conditions outside. This strategy is aligned with the seasonal variations Iceland experiences, allowing users to engage with the shifting light throughout the day and across seasons.

Another noteworthy element is the building's form, which resembles delicate flower petals. This aesthetic choice serves a dual purpose: it enhances the building's visual presence against the landscape while expressing the underlying themes of growth and creativity, intrinsic to the filmmaking experience.

Spatial Configuration The spatial organization of "Blóm Norðurljósanna" demonstrates a balance between public and private areas. The main cinema hall is designed to accommodate advanced audio-visual technology, enhancing the viewing experience. The entry hall acts as a multifunctional area that encourages social engagement and fosters community interaction. Workspaces and galleries are strategically placed to promote collaboration and creativity, allowing artists and filmmakers to share ideas and resources efficiently.

The architectural details further enhance the user experience, from the warmth of the wood materials to the fluid layouts that guide visitors through the space. Each zone is designed with user comfort and functionality in mind, ensuring that the space supports both individual creativity and collective experiences.

To gain deeper insights into this project, it is encouraged to explore the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs that illustrate how these ideas are translated into built form. These elements provide a comprehensive understanding of the architectural narrative woven throughout "Blóm Norðurljósanna" and showcase how design can facilitate cultural storytelling within a region rich in natural beauty.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy