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Geothermal Retreat Crafted from Timber Cladding and Expansive Glass Panoramas

Geothermal Retreat Crafted from Timber Cladding and Expansive Glass Panoramas
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Built with a distinctive F-shaped design and enhanced by timber cladding and large glass windows, the facility offers a seamless connection to the geothermal landscape while serving as a brewery and wellness spa for visitors seeking relaxation and local culture.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with an F-shaped layout to optimize natural light and lake views.
02
Incorporates sustainable cross-laminated timber panels for structural integrity and warmth.
03
Features charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and a connection to local traditions.
04
Includes outdoor soaking tubs integrated into the landscape for a nature-focused wellness experience.
05
Designed to facilitate a seamless flow between brewery, spa, and café spaces for enhanced visitor engagement.

## Overview

The Brewery Spa, located at Sel Hotel near Lake Myvatn, Iceland, encompasses a multifaceted facility that integrates a brewery, spa, café, and souvenir shop. The design aims to enhance visitors' interactions with both the natural environment and local culture. Drawing on the region's dramatic landscapes and geothermal features, the project emphasizes holistic wellness through its architectural concept and spatial organization.

### Architectural Form and User Experience

The structure adopts an F-shaped configuration, symbolizing the aperture of a camera and inviting light into the space. This design decision facilitates visual access to the surrounding landscape, with large windows providing expansive views of the lake and natural craters. The arrangement fosters a sensory experience, encouraging occupants to engage with both the interior spaces and the external environment. Key areas, such as the café and souvenir shop located at the northern end, are designed to maximize outdoor engagement through panoramic windows and outdoor seating, while the southern sector houses the spa and brewery, promoting distinct yet cohesive experiences.

### Material Selection and Sustainability

Material choices are carefully curated to support both aesthetics and functionality. The use of timber cladding adds warmth and a rustic quality that echoes the local environment. Concrete serves as the structural foundation, offering durability and a natural finish that complements the overall design. Expansive glass elements enhance transparency and facilitate natural light, improving the emotional and visual ambiance within the facility. Additionally, stone is incorporated to diversify textures and ground the structure within its geological context, reinforcing a sustainable approach through local material usage. This strategic material selection not only elevates the design but also contributes to an environmentally responsive architecture that aligns with its setting.

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Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

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Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

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