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Elevated Retreat Framed by Portals and Natural Landscapes

Authors:
Ej Deocampo, Parker Meade
Elevated Retreat Framed by Portals and Natural Landscapes

Project in-detail

Framed by portals that connect expansive views and encourage interaction with the natural landscape, the elevated meditation and community modules create a retreat that balances social engagement with individual reflection.
5 key facts about this project
01
The layout allows seamless flow between communal and private spaces.
02
Elevated modules provide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
03
The design incorporates cantilevers for open, airy entrances to the spa.
04
Natural light is maximized through large windows that frame scenery.
05
Translucent elements ensure privacy while connecting guests to nature.

Framed Translucencies is located at the Vogafjós Farm Resort in Iceland, designed as a guesthouse that encourages both social interaction and quiet reflection. The design features two main modular units: the Gather Module and the Meditation and Rest Module. Each unit serves a specific purpose and together they create a cohesive living environment. The project integrates with its natural surroundings, responding to the landscape and the changing light of Iceland.

Gather Module

The Gather Module occupies the ground level and serves as the heart of the guesthouse. It encourages guests to come together, fostering a sense of community. This area also includes adjacent outdoor terraces that extend the living space into the landscape. The design invites users to spend time outside, enjoying the fresh air and engaging with nature as they interact with others.

Meditation and Rest Module

In contrast, the Meditation and Rest Module is elevated above the ground, providing a place for guests to find peace and solitude. Its design allows for views over the horizon, encouraging moments of deep thought and introspection. This design choice creates a clear separation from the communal areas, offering a quiet retreat that enhances the experience of being in nature.

Spatial Dynamics

Framed Translucencies incorporates various architectural features, such as portals and pathways, that enrich the experience within the guesthouse. These elements help guide movement through the space and encourage exploration. The thoughtful layout promotes a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor areas, allowing guests to easily move between social activities and personal reflection.

Translucency and Modularity

Translucency is a key characteristic of this design. It provides privacy while still encouraging exploration of the surroundings. The repeated use of modular components improves adaptability and functionality, catering to different user needs. This approach allows both community gatherings and quiet moments to coexist in harmony.

The configuration of the modules aligns carefully with the Icelandic landscape. Large windows in the Meditation Module frame views of the aurora borealis, enhancing the connection between the indoor space and the natural world outside.

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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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