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Glass Volumes Integrating Natural Landscapes for Community Engagement

Authors:
Sebastián ignacio Baldini, Ludmila micaela| González
Glass Volumes Integrating Natural Landscapes for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Disaggregated glass volumes emerge from the Icelandic landscape, creating a flexible community space that fosters interaction and growth while respecting the surrounding natural features.
5 key facts about this project
01
Disaggregated volumes allow for flexible spatial organization.
02
Glass elements enhance natural light and visual connectivity.
03
The design is influenced by Iceland's unique natural features.
04
Integrated areas encourage community interaction and engagement.
05
Adaptability supports future growth and changing user needs.

The design is located in the diverse landscape of Iceland, where it aims to connect with the surrounding environment. The building serves multiple functions, ensuring that it meets the needs of the community. The main idea is to create a space that encourages movement and interaction through its thoughtful layout and design approach.

Dispersed Program and Circulation

The design emphasizes a dispersed program that promotes clear circulation among its various functional areas. This layout encourages easy movement, allowing people to move smoothly from one space to another. By prioritizing user interaction, the design fosters a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.



Disaggregated Volumes and Adaptability

A key aspect of the design is the use of disaggregated volumes. These volumes are arranged in a way that allows for future growth and adaptability. This flexibility is important, as it ensures that the space can respond to changing community needs over time. Each volume contributes to an open and accessible environment, making it easier for people to navigate.



Materiality and Spatial Experience

The project features a dual-material approach, with glass utilized in both horizontal and vertical ways. This choice of material enhances the views of the natural surroundings and allows ample light to fill the interior spaces. By doing so, the design blurs the lines between inside and outside, creating a rich atmosphere that invites exploration and engagement.



Functional Layout

The layout includes various functional spaces, such as access points, an auditorium, offices, coworking areas, a coffee shop, and a versatile space that can adapt as needed. Each area serves specific community purposes while contributing to the overall organization of the design. The placement of these spaces encourages social interaction, reinforcing a sense of community and connection.



The design culminates in a cohesive form that rises naturally from the landscape, establishing a clear relationship between the building and its environment.

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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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