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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

Project in-detail

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

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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

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