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Gabion Walls And Moss-Covered Pods Enhancing Volcanic Landscape Education

Author:
Xaever Mand
Gabion Walls And Moss-Covered Pods Enhancing Volcanic Landscape Education

Project in-detail

Built with gabion walls and adorned with moss-covered pods, the museum integrates seamlessly into its volcanic landscape while serving as an educational hub for understanding Iceland's geological phenomena.
5 key facts about this project
01
Gabion walls incorporate locally sourced volcanic rock, enhancing the building's integration with its environment.
02
Moss-covered pods provide natural insulation while connecting visitors to the local flora.
03
Large strategically placed windows frame views of the surrounding volcanic landscape, promoting an immersive experience.
04
The structure's curvilinear design mimics natural landforms, creating a seamless transition between built and natural environments.
05
Educational zones are modular, allowing adaptability for future exhibitions and research purposes.

The Icelandic Volcano Museum is an architectural project designed to enhance public understanding of volcanic activity in Iceland. This museum aims to serve both educational and research purposes, establishing a direct relationship between its surroundings and the rich geological history of the region. The design integrates seamlessly with the landscape, emphasizing a connection between natural and built environments while fostering visitor engagement with the subject matter.

The museum features a rounded floor plate, facilitating fluid movement through various spaces, including exhibition zones, a research area, and visitor amenities such as cafés and restrooms. By organizing these functions into interconnected pods, the design promotes an immersive experience, allowing visitors to navigate seamlessly between diverse displays and activities focused on Iceland’s volcanic phenomena.

The exterior design incorporates gabion walls made of volcanic rock, which not only enhance the building’s aesthetic but also blend it into the natural topography, providing a protective barrier while forging a strong connection with the site. The use of concrete elements in the structure reinforces this integration, manifesting a sturdy yet harmonious design.

The museum's unique approach lies in its emphasis on sustainability and ecological relevance. The design incorporates large windows that frame views of the surrounding landscape, allowing natural light to penetrate the interior spaces and creating an ongoing dialogue between the exhibits and the outdoor environment. The smooth concrete flooring, combined with soft textures from the moss-covered pods, adds a tactile dimension that invites exploration.

In addition to its functional aspects, the design reflects a commitment to creating a serene visitor experience. Features such as a shallow water element enhance the sensory environment, enriching the approach to the museum while engaging visitors in a contemplative atmosphere.

The Icelandic Volcano Museum stands out due to its conceptual foundation of connectivity and interaction. By promoting a cyclical engagement with volcanic science, it becomes more than just a venue for static displays. The design allows for ongoing adaptability, ensuring that exhibits evolve as new research emerges. The modular organization of spaces is rooted in the project’s functional requirements while encouraging a holistic exploration of Iceland’s volcanic landscape.

For a comprehensive understanding of the design and its implications, readers are encouraged to explore architectural plans, sections, and other relevant documentation. Detailed insights into the architectural ideas and features of the project can reveal deeper layers of thought contributing to the museum's mission and its role within the community.

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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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