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Elevated Viewing Platforms Embracing Black Wood in Geological Landscape

Authors:
Isabelle Easterling, Elin Delmar
Elevated Viewing Platforms Embracing Black Wood in Geological Landscape

Project in-detail

Set against the backdrop of Iceland's dramatic geology, the design's black wood facades and elevated viewing platforms enhance the exploration of Karlagjá caves while offering visitors a multifaceted engagement with the landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The main building serves as a bridge between two continental plates.
02
The design incorporates circular flow to enhance visitor movement.
03
Black wood facades visually connect the architecture to the volcanic landscape.
04
Multiple viewing platforms offer diverse perspectives of the caves.
05
The bathhouse is strategically positioned to accentuate the cave's depth.

The Brú Eilífðarinnar, also known as the eternity bridge, integrates well with its natural surroundings. Located in a landscape characterized by caves and continental plates, the design features two main structures: a larger visitor center and a smaller bathhouse. The concept focuses on clear geometry and how it contrasts with and complements the site, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

The design revolves around the relationship between built forms and the natural landscape. The main building encircles the entrances to Karlagjá cave and acts as an elevated observation point, providing broad views of the area. It serves various functions, making it an active center for visitors while connecting the two continental plates. The bathhouse, positioned at the edge of the European plate, offers a unique perspective that emphasizes vertical movement and depth, encouraging exploration.

MATERIALITY

Materiality is important in this design, with the use of black wood prominently displayed on the facades of both buildings. This choice creates a strong visual impact, allowing the structures to stand out against the natural environment. During the day, the dark wood contrasts with the landscape. At night, when illuminated, the buildings take on a warm glow, enhancing their presence and inviting visitors to explore the area.

PATHWAY DESIGN

The design includes a series of pathways that link the buildings to various points of interest in the landscape. These walkways are designed to follow the natural terrain, encouraging visitors to move around the site at a relaxed pace. The thoughtful placement of paths helps people engage with the geological features, inviting exploration of the continental plates and their visual drama.

VIEWING PLATFORMS

An essential aspect of the experience is the arrangement of multiple viewing platforms within the design. These platforms provide different perspectives of the landscape, enhancing visitors' understanding of the geological formations. Each viewpoint encourages observers to look out at both the surroundings and the architecture, fostering a connection between the two and celebrating the area's natural beauty.

Light plays a significant role throughout the day as it moves across the structures. This changing quality enhances the geometric shapes and highlights their relationship with the landscape.

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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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