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Glazed Larch Modules Embracing Natural Landscapes in a Community Hub

Author:
Sina Drechsler
Glazed Larch Modules Embracing Natural Landscapes in a Community Hub
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Constructed with glazed larch modules that harmonize with the surrounding landscape, the facility serves as a community hub for enhancing visitor engagement while offering a tranquil space for coffee and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Unique modular design features equal-sized elongated rectangles arranged orthogonally.
02
Glazed walkways create visual connections between indoor and outdoor spaces.
03
Larch formwork used in the facade contrasts with the grey tones of the landscape.
04
Inner courtyard serves as a flexible space for social gatherings and exhibitions.
05
Bridges mark threshold areas, symbolizing the flow of volcanic terrain.

The Island Volcano Coffee Shop is a modular structure located next to a museum, designed to provide a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy coffee and social interaction. The layout consists of elongated rectangular forms arranged in a careful order on a flat site, creating both functional areas and inviting visuals. The concept aims to enhance community engagement while respecting the natural environment surrounding the facility.

Architectural Composition

The layout features a series of modules, each serving a unique purpose. The cubes are connected primarily along their long, narrow sides. This connection allows for easy movement and interaction among users, generating an open atmosphere throughout the various areas of the coffee shop. Glazed walkways serve to blend the indoor space with the outdoors, encouraging a sense of continuity with the landscape.

Programmatic Functionality

A key element of the design is the reception and information area, which includes a café counter and wide windows that open to a spacious inner courtyard. This courtyard becomes a social hub where visitors can gather comfortably. A separate module for café seating is positioned to overlook the untouched landscape to the northwest, providing a quiet spot for customers away from the main activity of the shop.

Spatial Relationships

Off to the left of the information area, offices and a warehouse are designed to maintain privacy, yet they still offer access to outdoor spaces. The two exhibition rooms of the adjoining museum are situated on the right side, carefully framing the inner courtyard and enhancing the experience for visitors. The arrangement of these spaces supports both functionality and the opportunity for exploration.

Materiality and Contextual Integration

The design incorporates white glazed larch formwork, which creates a distinct visual identity against the natural surroundings. This choice of material highlights the contrast between the building and the landscape, allowing the structure to reflect the changing colors and textures of its environment. Variations in height inspired by volcanic flows enhance the connection to the geographical setting and enrich the architectural narrative.

A notable detail is the height changes created by the bridges connecting the modules, marking a clear transition from the built environment to nature. These thresholds not only facilitate movement but also deepen the relationship between architecture and its natural surroundings.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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