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Galvanized Steel Grids with Color-Coded Systems for Environmental Education

Authors:
Aurélien Massart, Thomas Lourdeaux, Thibault Lerouge
Galvanized Steel Grids with Color-Coded Systems for Environmental Education
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Color-coded systems and galvanized steel grids enhance environmental understanding in a visitor center designed for education and engagement in Reykjahlíð.
5 key facts about this project
01
Color-coded systems illustrate the flow of electricity, air, and water throughout the building.
02
A grid-structured façade enhances vertical movement and user engagement.
03
Prefabricated elements streamline construction and reduce environmental impact.
04
Galvanized steel grating provides durable walking paths in the natural landscape.
05
Interior wood panels create a warm atmosphere that contrasts with the metal exterior.

The facility located near Reykjahlíð is designed to promote engagement with environmental education in a tranquil natural setting. The overall design concept emphasizes transparency and functionality, inviting visitors to interact with the building’s systems while learning about sustainable practices. A central grid-structured façade enhances vertical circulation, connecting users to the technical elements integrated throughout the space.

SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Every aspect of the building has a focus on sustainable resource management. Rainwater is collected and filtered for use, while geothermal energy supplies the facility's electrical needs. Inside, elements are color-coded to represent different resources: red for electricity, green for air, and blue for water. This approach helps visitors understand the vital connections between these systems and serves the educational purpose of the center by clarifying these critical interactions.

PREFABRICATED ELEMENTS

The construction process employs prefabricated repetitive elements, assembled on-site to ensure efficiency. This method not only decreases construction time and costs but also makes use of local materials, reducing transportation impacts. Metal components are prominently used, supporting the building's sustainability goals and reflecting the characteristics of the surrounding landscape.

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR INTEGRATION

A clear distinction exists between the materials used inside and outside the building. The exterior features metal cladding, while warm wooden panels create a more inviting atmosphere within. This careful choice of materials contributes to both comfort and a sense of harmony with the natural environment.

As visitors move through the levels of the building, they encounter various functions, starting from reception areas to exhibition spaces and culminating at a viewing platform. Each ascent reveals new perspectives, allowing for greater interaction with the landscape. The building engages visitors with expansive views of the surrounding fissures, enhancing their connection to the natural world.

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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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