Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Geometric Cabins Clad in Aluminum and Natural Wood Integrating Communal Spaces in Icelandic Wilderness

Authors:
Dan Even Henriksen Asli, Linda Asli
Geometric Cabins Clad in Aluminum and Natural Wood Integrating Communal Spaces in Icelandic Wilderness
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Clad in reflective aluminum and warm wood, these geometric cabins seamlessly blend into Iceland’s rugged terrain while providing a communal space for trekkers seeking an immersive nature experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Clad in reflective aluminum, the cabins mimic the appearance of ice formations in Iceland.
02
The design features a bent A-frame structure to optimize natural light and views.
03
Interiors utilize cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced thermal performance.
04
Charred wooden shingles are employed for durability and aesthetic integration into the landscape.
05
Elevated on structural pillars, the cabins adapt to the natural terrain and minimize ecological impact.

## Project Overview

The Ice Diamond project comprises a series of trekking cabins situated in the rugged landscapes of Iceland, aimed at providing accommodation that aligns with the natural environment. The design draws on the geological features of the area and Iceland’s architectural traditions, prioritizing sustainability and a connection to the surrounding landscape.

### Architectural Concept

The design of the cabins features a geometric structure that resembles a multifaceted diamond, reflecting the natural aesthetics of ice formations found in the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. This architectural language establishes a sophisticated yet playful visual identity, highlighting the relationship between natural elements and contemporary design.

The cabins employ a modular design approach, allowing for variations in size and shape to address site-specific conditions while preserving a cohesive design philosophy. The interiors take inspiration from traditional Viking longhouses, promoting communal living through an open-plan layout centered around a communal hearth.

### Material Selection

The primary exterior cladding consists of aluminum, chosen for its reflective quality that mimics the appearance of ice while providing weather resistance and low maintenance. Interior spaces utilize warm wood finishes, emphasizing comfort and a connection to traditional construction methods, while also serving essential structural and insulation purposes. Generous glass facades are incorporated to maximize natural light, minimize the need for artificial lighting, and enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

Additional materials include concrete for the fireplace structure, which supports both design and functional requirements, and sustainable aluminum pots for water storage and cooking. The design integrates storage solutions to accommodate trekking supplies without sacrificing space, consistent with the project's emphasis on sustainability and user experience.

### Spatial Integration and Structural Considerations

The cabins are elevated on structured pillars to adapt to the variable terrain, minimizing ecological impact and adapting to the natural slope. This raised design provides occupants with unique views of the surrounding landscape. The central living area is organized to facilitate various communal activities, reflecting a flexible approach that enhances the functionality of the space.

Overall, the Ice Diamond cabins exemplify a synthesis of bold architectural form, thoughtful material use, and a commitment to sustainability, fostering an immersive experience within Iceland's distinctive natural environment.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy