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Emphasizing Natural Light and Ventilation in a Volcanic Landscape Coffee Shop

Author:
Eduardo Shamosh
Emphasizing Natural Light and Ventilation in a Volcanic Landscape Coffee Shop
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Built within a volcanic landscape, the design maximizes natural light and ventilation to create a comfortable coffee shop that blends seamlessly with its surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed in a volcanic area, the project enhances its connection to the landscape.
02
The design features a bent A-frame structure that optimizes natural light.
03
Natural ventilation strategies improve indoor climate comfort throughout the year.
04
Clearly defined functional zones facilitate efficient movement and user interaction.
05
Large windows provide unobstructed views, integrating the interior with the exterior landscape.

The OvalO Hverfjall project is located within Iceland's volcanic terrain, providing a coffee shop that connects visitors with its striking natural environment. The design aims to create a strong link between inside and outside, focusing on user comfort and accessibility. This approach ensures the coffee shop fits well with its setting, offering a relaxing space for patrons to enjoy.

Natural Light and Ventilation

The design emphasizes natural light, featuring well-placed openings that allow sunlight to fill the interior. This creates a warm, inviting atmosphere while reducing the need for artificial lighting. The layout also accounts for natural ventilation, which helps maintain a pleasant indoor climate. The careful consideration of these factors enhances the overall experience for visitors, making it a comfortable place to unwind.

Functional Zoning

The coffee shop's layout is divided into clearly defined areas, including dining, service, and storage spaces. This organization allows for smooth movement throughout the shop. Each zone serves its purpose well, ensuring that patrons can socialize comfortably while staff can manage operations efficiently. This arrangement contributes to a practical space that meets the needs of both customers and employees.

Integration with the Landscape

Choosing to place the coffee shop in the Hverfjall volcanic area highlights its connection to the surrounding nature. The design takes into account the local landscape, respecting the natural contours and features. This choice not only enhances the building's identity but also creates a distinctive experience for visitors as they engage with the environment around them.

The roofline gently rises and falls, echoing the nearby volcanic formations, while large windows frame views of the landscape, drawing attention to the beauty outside.

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

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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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