Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Fluid Etfe Canopy Overlooks Volcanic Landscape in Sustainable Community Pavilion

Authors:
Tatyana Serdyukova, Daria Bessonova, Daria Parvatkina, Oksana Kikina
Fluid Etfe Canopy Overlooks Volcanic Landscape in Sustainable Community Pavilion
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
With a fluid ETFE canopy that captures natural light and provides expansive views of Iceland's volcanic landscape, the pavilion serves as a multifunctional space for educational programs and community engagement centered around coffee culture.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pavilion employs a lightweight ETFE membrane that enhances thermal efficiency while allowing natural light to permeate the space.
02
A unique bent A-frame design maximizes structural stability and creates an open, airy interior.
03
Construction incorporates monolithic reinforced concrete for durability, suited to Iceland's harsh climate.
04
Interactive exhibits educate visitors on coffee production, integrating cultural engagement with architectural space.
05
Strategically positioned windows provide panoramic views of the surrounding volcanic landscape, enhancing the visitor experience.

The "Rain Drop" Pavilion is an architectural project located at the base of Hverfjall volcano, near Lake Mývatn in Iceland. This structure serves as both a functional space and an attraction for visitors, designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Its purpose is to provide educational and cultural experiences related to coffee production and offer a gathering space for tourists and locals alike.

The pavilion features a dynamic and fluid roof design that mimics the form of raindrops, enhancing its connection to the natural environment. This unique roof not only draws the eye but also contributes to a sense of openness and connection with the landscape. Constructed with a monolithic reinforced concrete foundation and a lightweight ETFE shell, the design prioritizes sustainability. The ETFE material allows for natural light while maintaining thermal efficiency, promoting an environment that is both inviting and energy-efficient.

One significant aspect of the "Rain Drop" Pavilion is its multifunctionality. The interior layout includes an amphitheater-style seating arrangement around a central coffee area. This encourages community interaction while educating visitors about local coffee culture. The pavilion’s design supports a range of activities, from workshops and talks to relaxation areas, making it adaptable to various events and functions. Such flexibility distinguishes this project from many similar structures, which often serve a singular purpose.

In addition to its practical uses, the pavilion engages visitors with its setting, enhancing the overall tourist experience in the Icelandic landscape. The careful selection of materials, combined with innovative architectural forms, allows the pavilion to withstand the region’s climatic challenges while responding to the need for sustainable design. This project fosters a dialogue between architecture, nature, and culture, positioning it as an exemplary model for future architectural endeavors in ecologically sensitive areas.

To gain deeper insights into the architectural plans, sections, and designs that make the "Rain Drop" Pavilion distinctive, readers are encouraged to explore the project presentation. This detailed review will offer a comprehensive understanding of the architectural ideas that underpin the project and its innovative approach to integrating culture and environment.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

`
Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy