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Curved Zinc Roof and Reflective Surfaces in a Community Gathering Space

Authors:
Louis Pouchard, Anindya Citra
Curved Zinc Roof and Reflective Surfaces in a Community Gathering Space
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A cantilevered floor slab and a gentle zinc roof create a dynamic pavilion that reflects its stunning landscape and serves as a community gathering space for local residents.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pavilion features a mirror box that reflects the surrounding landscape.
02
The roof design incorporates a gentle curve that echoes local volcanic formations.
03
The sunken gathering area is designed to foster community interaction.
04
Fully glazed facades provide unobstructed views while allowing natural light.
05
Cantilevered edges create a lightweight appearance, enhancing the pavilion's presence.

The Iceland Movie Pavilion is a unique structure located in a captivating landscape, designed to serve as both a movie theater and a community center. This space encourages social connections among local residents while emphasizing a strong relationship with its natural surroundings. The design focuses on visibility and presence within the landscape, creating an architectural statement that invites exploration and interaction.

Conceptual Framework
The composition of the pavilion includes two intersecting cubes. One cube is fully glazed and transparent, allowing ample light to enter, while the other cube, acting as a mirror box, reflects the environment through a curtain glass wall. This arrangement creates an engaging dialogue between the inside of the pavilion and the natural world outside. It blurs the boundaries, making the pavilion feel like an extension of the landscape.

Spatial Arrangement
Inside the pavilion, spaces are thoughtfully arranged to promote community engagement. A notable feature is the sunken gathering area that includes built-in seating for over 30 individuals around a chimney. This design encourages socializing and interaction among visitors, giving them an opportunity to come together in a comfortable environment. The layout prioritizes usability, enabling residents to share experiences and enjoy their time in the space.

Materiality
Choices of materials play an important role in the identity of the pavilion. The fully glazed facades illuminate the interior while framing views of the landscape. The mirror box adds depth and creates dynamic reflections. The roof is covered with zinc, which is shaped into a gentle curve that complements the geographical features. Dark grey lava stone tiles are used on the floor, linking the structure to its setting, while metal bronze plates line the ceiling, enhancing the aesthetic appeal.

The edges of the floor slab are cantilevered, giving the entire pavilion a light and floating appearance. This design detail contributes to the overall sense of suspension in the space, allowing it to blend harmoniously with its surroundings.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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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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Design the next suburban home for the USA

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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