Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Geothermal Spa Enveloped in Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades

Authors:
Danica Marinkovic, Milos Kolaric
Geothermal Spa Enveloped in Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Facades

Project in-detail

Embraced by charred wooden shingles and extensive glass facades, the facility seamlessly integrates geothermal heating with its natural surroundings, offering a unique wellness experience centered around traditional brewing practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Emphasizes geothermal heating to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for durability and fire resistance.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels to provide structural integrity with minimal environmental impact.
04
Features a bent A-frame design that offers unique spatial dynamics and aesthetic presence.
05
Centers on traditional brewing practices as a core element of the wellness experience.

## Overview

Located near the Skútustaðagígar craters in Iceland, the Beer Spa project integrates architectural design with local culture and the natural landscape. This facility serves not only as a place for brewing but also as an immersive experience that engages visitors with both the brewing process and the surrounding environment.

## Spatial Organization and Unique Features

The Beer Spa is organized into three primary levels, each designated for specific functions while maintaining interconnectivity. The ground floor houses the brewery and a souvenir shop, where large glass windows provide visibility into the brewing process. The first floor features a beer spa lounge, complemented by a terrace that offers expansive views of the craters, providing an area for relaxation and various treatments. A gallery space dedicated to educating visitors about the brewing process links the visual journey of the facility to its production mechanisms.

One of the defining architectural elements is the “second skin” facade, which serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. This outer layer provides protection while facilitating air circulation, essential for maintaining the spa environment. The spatial layout promotes active engagement, with a winding path that simulates the brewing process and leads to the spa lounge, fostering an intimate connection between architecture and experience. The presence of outdoor terraces enhances interaction with the landscape, allowing guests to appreciate the unique geological features of the area, while the interplay of open and enclosed spaces dynamically shifts light and shadow, enriching the sensory experience within.

## Materiality

The material selection plays a critical role in the project’s identity. Predominantly using slatted timber for the facade, the structure evokes warmth and reflects the natural textures of the landscape. Strategically placed glass elements enhance natural light flow and visibility into brewing activities. Internally, natural stone elements ground the design, drawing inspiration from Iceland's volcanic geology, while steel structures balance strength and modernity. Concrete provides robust support for the facility. Nuanced lighting, including LED installations, enriches the experience by creating varying atmospheres that adapt to different moments of the day.

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

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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