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Geological Volumes Enhancing Community Engagement in Icelandic Landscapes

Authors:
Costantino Enriquez, Santiago Lopez, Santiago Attias
Geological Volumes Enhancing Community Engagement in Icelandic Landscapes

Project in-detail

Dynamic geological volumes create an engaging community hub in Iceland, enhancing social interaction through thoughtful integration with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Geological-inspired volumes create a distinctive silhouette against the Icelandic landscape.
02
Two designated plazas along the main pathway enhance social interaction and community gathering.
03
The auditorium is strategically positioned to provide panoramic views of the surrounding environment.
04
Dynamic rooflines improve natural light flow and ventilation within the interior spaces.
05
Terraces integrated into the design blend indoor and outdoor experiences for visitors.

The Vogar Movie Pavilion is a carefully designed building located in the unique landscapes of Iceland. It serves as a cultural center, focusing on film exhibitions and community events. The project takes inspiration from the natural features of the surrounding terrain, resulting in a structure that fits well within its environment while providing practical spaces for visitors.

Spatial Layout

The layout features a main pathway leading visitors from the entrance to the auditorium, the central element of the building. This pathway encourages exploration and invites interaction among visitors, with two plazas positioned along the route to foster social engagement. The thoughtful design aims to immerse individuals in the space, allowing them to appreciate both the architecture and the landscape.

Geometric Forms

Geometric shapes are a significant aspect of the design, with sharp angles reflecting the rocky landscape of Vogar. Each volume includes dynamic edges and walls that establish a connection with the geological features nearby. This integration enhances the visual quality of the Pavilion and ensures that it remains subtle in its natural surroundings, revealing its unique form as visitors enter.

Terraces and Light

The design includes terraces and accessible areas that connect the inside of the Pavilion with the outdoor environment. Covered entrances provide invitations for visitors to interact with the landscape. Inclined roofs allow natural light to enter the spaces, creating a bright atmosphere and ensuring proper ventilation. This focus on light and space adds warmth to the overall experience of the Pavilion.

Agora and Community Focus

An important feature is the agora, which serves as a public gathering space for cultural activities. This area strengthens the Pavilion's role within the community and enhances connections between people. The auditorium is placed at the highest point of the site, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape and marking it as a notable place in the vicinity.

The design includes unique details, particularly the angular rooflines and varied forms that mirror the characteristics of Iceland's landscape. Each element contributes to creating a cohesive structure that respects its natural setting.

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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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