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Gabien Walls and Coated Rebar Create Inviting Visitor Experience Amidst Dramatic Landscapes

Authors:
Jeffrey Wigen, Lauren Mcphillips
Gabien Walls and Coated Rebar Create Inviting Visitor Experience Amidst Dramatic Landscapes

Project in-detail

Gabien walls and coated rebar define a network of pathways and observation points that enhance visitor engagement in a dramatic landscape, offering a new space for exploration and relaxation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Gabien walls are filled with local rock, enhancing environmental integration.
02
Coated rebar provides structural support while maintaining visual continuity.
03
The design features multiple observation points to maximize landscape views.
04
Pathways encourage exploration and connect key areas of the visitor center.
05
The project emphasizes accessibility, ensuring ease of movement for all visitors.

CLOUDSCAPE CODEX is set in a notable geographical area featuring Lake Mývatn, Hverfjall, and Grjótgjá. The design focuses on enhancing the visitor experience through well-planned pathways and observation points. It creates a strong connection between nature and the man-made environment, encouraging exploration and interaction with the site.

Pathways and Accessibility

The design includes a network of pathways that guide visitors throughout the space. Important features like the Path to Kvennagjá Entrance and the Floating Path help with mobility while promoting a natural exploration of the landscape. These paths not only allow movement but also provide places to pause and take in the scenery.

Observation Points

Carefully positioned observation points play an important role in the overall experience. The View of Gabien Walls from the Eurasian Plate stands out, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the landscape from a distinct perspective. This approach helps people feel connected to the surrounding natural beauty, enhancing their understanding of the site.

Material Use and Aesthetics

Materials selected for the project include coated rebar, gabien walls filled with local rock, and steel-clad concrete pylons. These choices support the structural needs while also aiming to blend with the local environment. The gabien walls integrate well into the setting, providing a sense of continuity and enhancing the visual appeal of the design.

The thoughtful arrangement of pathways, views, and materials creates an engaging experience for visitors. Each component works together, inviting people to explore and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding them. The design encourages a meaningful relationship between the setting and the visitor, making the experience memorable.

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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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