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Curvilinear Design Featuring Local Stone and Thermal Mass in a Sustainable Retreat

Authors:
Bingchen Duan, Yuxuan Cai, Yiting Wang
Curvilinear Design Featuring Local Stone and Thermal Mass in a Sustainable Retreat

Project in-detail

A curvilinear structure crafted from local stone and designed for optimal thermal mass offers a harmonious retreat that seamlessly integrates with the Icelandic landscape, providing a tranquil space for relaxation and community connection.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with curvilinear forms for minimal visual impact on the landscape.
02
Utilizes local stone to enhance thermal mass and energy efficiency.
03
Features large glass panels that frame panoramic views of the surroundings.
04
Incorporates an accessible roof space for outdoor gatherings and activities.
05
Equipped with passive cooling systems to optimize indoor climate control.

### Overview

The Hidden Chalet is located in the distinctive landscape of Iceland, carefully designed to blend with its natural surroundings. This project focuses on creating a structure that minimizes visual intrusion while fostering a deep connection with the environment. The intent is to establish a balance between functional living spaces and a harmonious relationship with the terrain, offering users a retreat that enhances their experience of the natural world.

### Spatial Strategy

The spatial organization of the chalet emphasizes both communal and private areas. The ground floor layout features designated spaces for relaxation and social interaction, promoting a sense of community among occupants. The sloping roof design not only facilitates accessibility but also serves as a communal area, allowing for interaction with the surrounding views. Thoughtful planning of circulation routes further enhances the movement within the structure, ensuring that functionality aligns with aesthetic values.

### Materiality and Sustainability

Material selection plays a crucial role in the chalet's design. Concrete serves as the primary material, providing durability and structural integrity while integrating with the natural landscape. Large glass panels are incorporated to foster a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, maximizing natural light and framed vistas. Timber elements contribute warmth and texture, while local stone enhances the building’s relationship with its geological context. Environmental considerations are central to the design, incorporating passive solar techniques to reduce energy consumption and minimize the ecological footprint, thereby aligning with contemporary sustainable architecture practices.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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