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Exploring Warmth and Light Through Solid Facades in a Volcano Museum

Authors:
Dana waleska del carmen Mendoza reyes, Luis fernando Godoy bermudez
Exploring Warmth and Light Through Solid Facades in a Volcano Museum

Project in-detail

Characterized by a solid facade that captures the volcanic landscape, the museum seamlessly integrates warmth and natural light to create an immersive environment dedicated to understanding geological phenomena.
5 key facts about this project
01
Exterior designed to reflect the strength of volcanic formations.
02
Interior spaces incorporate elevated temperatures for visitor engagement.
03
Natural light is strategically used to enhance the museum experience.
04
Transparent elements connect the interior with the surrounding landscape.
05
Exhibition flow encourages exploration and interaction with exhibits.

The proposal for a museum dedicated to the volcano is thoughtfully positioned to reflect its geological and cultural significance. The design concept revolves around three fundamental elements: exterior, warmth, and light, which together create an engaging environment. Set against a dramatic backdrop, the museum aims to provide visitors with a space to connect with the natural phenomena linked to volcanic activity, fostering both education and appreciation through its architectural articulation.

Exterior

The outer layer of the museum conveys a sense of strength and solidity. This robust facade serves both as a protective boundary and a visual anchor within its geographic context. The design reflects the enduring character of volcanoes, establishing a meaningful narrative that resonates with the surrounding landscape.

Warmth

Internally, warmth is emphasized through spaces designed to promote comfort and interaction. These areas feature elevated temperatures, inviting visitors to experience a distinct contrast to the formidable exterior. This tactile quality encourages engagement and exploration, allowing for deeper connections with the exhibits and the environment.

Light

Light plays an essential role in linking the exterior and interior spaces. The thoughtful integration of natural and artificial light sources animates the architecture and enhances the visitor experience. This interaction with light creates varying atmospheres throughout the day, offering fresh perspectives and enriching each visit.

Transparency

Incorporating transparent elements into the facade invites the outside landscape into the museum's interior. This design choice fosters visual engagement with the surroundings, creating opportunities for reflection as visitors are reminded of the broader context in which the museum exists. The interplay between transparency and light adds to the depth of the experience within the space.

The design culminates in an architectural language that connects themes of natural phenomena with visitors' experiences, fostering an environment that reflects the essence of its inspiration while encouraging sustained engagement with the exhibits.

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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
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