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Excavated Volcanic Rock Structure with Etfe Facades Hosting Cultural Exhibitions

Author:
Carlos Balaguer García
Excavated Volcanic Rock Structure with Etfe Facades Hosting Cultural Exhibitions
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An excavated volume formed from volcanic rock creates a unique cultural space, enhanced by ETFE facades that facilitate natural light and ventilation, serving as a versatile venue for exhibitions and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Excavated volume reduces visual impact on the flat landscape.
02
Volcanic rock is used for its natural thermal properties.
03
ETFE facades provide lightweight, transparent barriers.
04
Design accommodates flexible exhibition and community spaces.
05
Natural ventilation enhances indoor climate control.

The design integrates a museum into a flat volcanic landscape, creating a thoughtful relationship between the building and its natural surroundings. By employing an excavated volume, the structure minimizes visual disruption while allowing for significant internal heights that cater to diverse exhibition requirements. The overall design seeks to harmonize the museum with its environment, providing a place for cultural engagement and exploration.

Concept and Functionality

At the heart of the design is the idea of excavation, which reflects the natural features of the landscape. Lowering the building into the ground reduces its visual impact, allowing the extracted materials to form a protective barrier. The entrance is thoughtfully placed along a path that leads visitors into a central hall, creating an inviting atmosphere and enhancing accessibility from the outset.

Interior Layout and Museography

The internal layout is organized to promote both visitor interaction and operational effectiveness. A ramp allows for easy movement to the exhibition spaces, while separate areas like a restaurant, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms cater to different activities. This design approach encourages flexibility and challenges the conventional museum format, transforming it into a multipurpose venue that adapts to various cultural programs.

Bioclimatic Strategies

Key to the design are the bioclimatic strategies that enhance both comfort and sustainability. The building features radiation permeable decks and facades alongside an air chamber, using natural light and airflow to create a pleasant environment. Thermal regulation is supported by the presence of volcanic rock, which retains heat and helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures. Openable facades allow for ventilation, ensuring a comfortable climate year-round.

Material Selection

The materials used in the project serve both practical and aesthetic purposes. Volcanic rock is a primary choice, enhancing thermal efficiency, while ETFE facades provide transparency and natural light without sacrificing insulation. Such selections contribute to the vision of a space that connects with the landscape, emphasizing an environmentally responsible design approach.

In its detailed elements, the building features textured surfaces and forms that echo the surrounding volcanic terrain. This careful consideration allows visitors to make a connection with the landscape, enhancing their overall experience within the space.

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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.

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