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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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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
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Eligibility Open to all
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