Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Framing Natural Vistas with Concrete and Striated Iron in a Cultural Hub

Authors:
Carola Castro, Valeria Lucero
Framing Natural Vistas with Concrete and Striated Iron in a Cultural Hub
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with concrete and striated iron, the facility integrates panoramic views of Hverfjall and the Northern Lights, serving as a cultural and educational hub for exploring Iceland's volcanic heritage.
5 key facts about this project
01
The exhibition hall occupies 16.16% of the total space, focusing on volcanic activity.
02
The museum incorporates perimeter circulation, ensuring easy navigation.
03
Concrete and striated iron are prominently used for structural strength.
04
It offers 360-degree views of Hverfjall and the Northern Lights.
05
Community spaces are integrated to encourage social interaction among visitors.

The Iceland Volcano Museum is located in the Mývatn region of Iceland, designed to offer visitors a blend of cultural, educational, and recreational experiences. Its layout emphasizes a connection to the natural surroundings, particularly the views of Hverfjall volcano and the Northern Lights. The concept aims to immerse visitors in Iceland’s geological features while promoting interaction with the environment.

Spatial Organization

The museum's layout thoughtfully enhances visitor movement and engagement. Key components include an exhibition hall, reception area, private offices, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, a kitchen, and a café. The exhibition hall is a focal point, occupying approximately 16.16% of the total space and providing a setting for exhibits on volcanic activity and geological phenomena. The design thoughtfully incorporates public areas that encourage socializing and relaxation among guests.

Circulation and Accessibility

Effective circulation is an important aspect of the design, featuring perimeter pathways that allow easy navigation throughout the facility. This arrangement supports natural movement from the entrance to various exhibitions, reducing congestion and ensuring accessibility. Such careful planning improves the visitor experience, making it straightforward to explore the museum's offerings.

Material and Structural Integrity

The materials used in construction prioritize strength and durability. Concrete forms the majority of the foundational elements, providing stability against the region's challenging weather conditions. Striated iron components enhance the structural framework, helping to ensure longevity while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.

The design stands out by framing breathtaking views of Hverfjall and the expansive skies, particularly when the Northern Lights are visible. This connection to the surroundings enhances the cultural narrative of the museum, engaging visitors visually and deepening their experience within the space.

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 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
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

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

Recurring architecture competitions

new
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
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 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
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
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
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
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

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