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Flexible Mesh Platform with Steel Pillars Overlooking Icelandic Landscape

Authors:
Daniel Kim, Kihun Kim, Chris Kwon
Flexible Mesh Platform with Steel Pillars Overlooking Icelandic Landscape

Project in-detail

Perched on Haverfjall, the flexible mesh platform supported by steel pillars provides visitors with panoramic views of the surrounding Icelandic landscape, creating a space for rest and contemplation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Perched on a volcanic ridge, the platform offers unobstructed views of lake Mývatn.
02
Lightweight materials ensure easy transport and assembly in a remote location.
03
Four steel pillars create visual landmarks, guiding visitors to the structure.
04
The design encourages multiple engagement options, from resting to observing.
05
Local sourcing of materials reinforces the project's connection to the environment.

The design located atop Haverfjall offers a thoughtful response to its stunning natural setting, overlooking both the mountains and lake Mývatn. The platform aims to provide a place for visitors to pause and reflect while engaging with the surrounding landscape. At its core, the concept emphasizes flexibility, inviting a variety of interactions that deepen the connection between people and nature.

Design Goals

The goal is to create a space that encourages contemplation and allows visitors to experience the scenic beauty from different angles. The platform is spacious enough for lying down, sitting, or simply observing. Each element is intended to enhance the visitor experience, underscoring the significance of nature in daily life.

Material Selection

Lightweight materials such as cables, cube beams, and flexible mesh surfaces have been chosen for their practical benefits. These materials make it easier to transport components to the remote site, simplifying the assembly process. Local sourcing of materials is a key aspect of the design, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability. This choice helps to establish a strong connection between the project and its environment.

Structural Features

Four steel pillars serve as important reference points for people approaching from a distance. These pillars provide stability and help define the space. When visitors arrive, they have multiple vantage points to choose from, whether it be resting on the flexible mat or taking in the view from the observation deck. This variety enriches the experience by encouraging individuals to engage differently with the landscape.

The flexible mesh surface covers the platform, providing options for how visitors interact with their surroundings. As individuals explore the different levels of this structure, they gain a greater appreciation for the relationship between the built environment and the dramatic volcanic landscape, illustrating the delicate balance between human activity and nature’s beauty.

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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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