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Glass Atrium with Burned Wood Veneer Embracing Community Agriculture

Authors:
Jose Lopez, Jung Chen
Glass Atrium with Burned Wood Veneer Embracing Community Agriculture
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A transparent glass atrium, complemented by burned wood veneer, creates a vibrant space dedicated to organic farming and community engagement, seamlessly integrating with the stunning backdrop of Volcano Hverfjall and Lake Myvatn.
5 key facts about this project
01
A greenhouse integrated within a public atrium promotes local agricultural practices.
02
The building’s design maximizes views of Volcano Hverfjall and Lake Myvatn.
03
Burned wood veneer highlights sustainability while enhancing aesthetics.
04
Modular layout allows for future expansion and adaptability.
05
Pathways connect to natural surroundings, encouraging exploration and engagement.

"Green Beacon" is set in a scenic spot that provides views of Volcano Hverfjall and Lake Myvatn. The project focuses on sustainability and serves as a community gathering place. Its design centers around a large transparent volume that connects the indoor environment with the natural landscape.

Concept and Layout

The design features a long glass atrium that serves as the central space of the building, allowing natural light to penetrate deep within. This openness helps create a connection with the surroundings, making the environment feel spacious and inviting. A radial layout maximizes the use of land while leaving room for future growth, ensuring that the structure remains adaptable as needs change over time.

Functional Organization

The layout includes clearly defined public and private areas. Visitors can find a greenhouse, restaurant, and multi-purpose rooms, each located to encourage interaction among users. Service areas such as kitchens and storage are included in the design, thoughtfully integrated to support the overall function of the building without disrupting the flow of public spaces.

Material Choices

The building utilizes materials like steel structure insulation blocks, burned wood veneer, and greenhouse glass cladding. These choices are practical and align with the goals of energy efficiency and sustainability. Elevated wood decks and insulated reinforced concrete provide structure and durability while enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Design Features

The atrium space is used for organic farming and community events, emphasizing a commitment to local agricultural practices. Pathways throughout the design lead visitors to trails and nearby natural pools, encouraging exploration of the beautiful landscape. This thoughtful placement promotes engagement with the environment, while maximizing natural light and geothermal resources, enhancing the building's energy efficiency.

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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.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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