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Gabion Walls Embracing Natural Landscapes in a Sustainable Visitor Center

Author:
Salim Hilles
Gabion Walls Embracing Natural Landscapes in a Sustainable Visitor Center
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Gabion walls create a textured façade while integrating renewable energy solutions in a visitor center designed to enhance access to the Grjótagjá Cave.
5 key facts about this project
01
Gabion walls enhance the building's integration with the local geology.
02
A zero mass solar roof collects atmospheric moisture and generates energy.
03
The design emphasizes controlled visitor flow through a transitional block.
04
Elevated café provides 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape.
05
Sustainability features reduce environmental impact while promoting ecology.

Four Blox is located at the entrance to Grjótagjá Cave in Iceland. The facility serves as a visitor center, enhancing the experience for those exploring the nearby geological site. The design relies on simple geometric shapes that blend with the natural landscape. The volumes arranged throughout the building guide visitors while highlighting the area's beauty.

Architectural elements include specific volumes that support different activities. The BLOCK serves as a transitional area, directing visitors from the entrance to the visitor center. This approach enriches the visitor's anticipation before they enter the cave.

Vertical movement is facilitated through a VERTICAL VOLUME, utilizing stairs that elevate views of the surrounding landscape. The café is placed in a horizontal volume above, allowing visitors to enjoy panoramic sights while they relax and refresh.

Sustainability features prominently in the design. A ZERO MASS SOLAR ROOF helps generate energy and collects moisture from the air. The structure is reinforced by an ANCHOR system, which maintains stability while allowing innovative spatial arrangements.

The inclusion of gabion walls is a significant detail in the project. These walls provide a practical construction option that requires little upkeep. They integrate well with the local stone environment, adding texture and depth. As light interacts with these walls, it creates interesting patterns and shadows inside the building, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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