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Glass Cathedral Inspired by Glaciers Enhancing Cinematic Experience

Authors:
Kaito Mizuta, Ruki Nagashima, Zewen Dai, Mai Iida
Glass Cathedral Inspired by Glaciers Enhancing Cinematic Experience
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A glass cathedral rises to mimic the contours of Icelandic glaciers, creating a space that blurs the line between film and landscape while offering an immersive cinematic experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
A dynamic roof silhouette mimics Icelandic glaciers, enhancing the building's connection to its site.
02
Extensive use of glass creates visual continuity between interior spaces and the surrounding landscape.
03
The gently sloped entry transitions visitors from the natural world into a cinematic environment.
04
An underground gathering space offers a distinct perspective of the landscape for social interaction.
05
The theater room features a significant glass plane that allows for views of the night sky during screenings.

The Moon Cinema is designed to be a cultural venue set in the striking landscape of Iceland. It serves as a space for cinematic experiences, reflecting the beauty of its natural surroundings. The design concept features a glass cathedral that emphasizes transparency and light, connecting the building visually and physically with the environment around it. The roof rises sharply, resembling the shape of a glacier, which creates a dialogue between the structure and the land.

Architectural Form

The form of the building is characterized by an inclined roof that reaches upward, establishing a link between the architecture and the sky. This design choice serves to enhance the presence of the structure within its setting by aligning it with the landforms typical of Iceland. The roof not only looks appealing but also reinforces the connection between nature and the built environment, inviting visitors to consider their surroundings.



Transparency and Light

Glass plays an important role in the Moon Cinema, prominently featured throughout the design. By using large glass panels, the space is filled with natural light, eliminating the need for artificial sources during the day. This transparency offers continuous views of the surrounding landscape, allowing visitors to engage with the striking scenery—including the northern lights in the evening. The visual connection to the exterior underscores the cinematic experience and keeps visitors aware of their environment.



Spatial Experience

The path leading into the cinema is gently sloped, guiding visitors from the open landscape into the interior space. This gradual descent helps to prepare individuals for the transition from outside to inside. It establishes a feeling of journey as they move into the building. Upon entering the cinema, visitors find an open and airy environment, enhanced by the extensive use of glazing, which helps maintain that connection to the natural world outside.



Gathering Spaces

An underground gathering space allows for a different view of the landscape, encouraging patrons to interact with each other. This space is designed to foster conversation and community engagement before and after films. By placing it below ground, the design creates an intimate atmosphere while providing a unique perspective of the scenic surroundings. Visitors can enjoy the experience of discussing the film after viewing it, connecting what they have seen with the beauty of the location.



A notable design detail is found in the theater room, where a large glass plane offers expansive views while allowing for functional projection technology to fit seamlessly into the space. This thoughtful integration ensures that the cinema experience remains tied to the vibrant Icelandic setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere for audiences.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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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