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Gray Concrete Panels Framed by Natural Light in a Landscape-Embedded Educational Space

Authors:
Mauro Martinez, Agustina Fernandez vallejo
Gray Concrete Panels Framed by Natural Light in a Landscape-Embedded Educational Space

Project in-detail

Framed by a striking array of gray concrete panels and illuminated with natural light, the design engages visitors in a comprehensive educational experience focused on the geological wonders of the Hverfjall Volcano.
5 key facts about this project
01
The museum is designed to reflect the natural geological forces of the surrounding landscape.
02
Frosted glass panels create a play of light and shadow in the main exhibition hall.
03
Multiple circulation routes allow for personalized visitor exploration and interaction.
04
Panoramic observation points enhance engagement with the Icelandic environment.
05
The building utilizes pre-casted panels for durability and efficient thermal insulation.

The Iceland Volcano Museum is located in Northern Iceland, designed to connect visitors with the distinctive features of the Hverfjall Volcano and its natural surroundings. The project’s concept emphasizes the balance between calm and instability, reflecting the geological processes that shape the landscape. It invites exploration while serving as an educational space focused on volcanic activity and the natural environment.

Spatial Flow

The arrangement of spaces promotes easy circulation, allowing visitors to navigate through different exhibition areas with ease. Multiple routes are available, encouraging people to explore at their own pace. This layout fosters a sense of freedom, making the experience feel personal and engaging.

Material Choices

Materials play a crucial role in the museum's design. The exterior walls utilize pre-casted panels made of fiber glass reinforced concrete, which are durable and provide necessary thermal insulation for the climate. The roof system employs voided biaxial slabs with a bubble-deck configuration, which reduces the amount of material needed while maintaining strength. Frosted glass panels surround the main hall, attaching to bearing walls with a steel tensile structure, allowing daylight to enter and create a lively interior atmosphere.

Diverse Functions

Inside, the museum contains various areas, including exhibition halls, a café, private offices, coworking spaces, and meeting rooms. This mix of functions offers a rich experience for visitors, promoting both learning and community engagement. The design aims to welcome different groups, making it a place for locals as well as tourists.

Observation Points

The museum features carefully placed observation points throughout its layout, providing remarkable views of the surrounding Icelandic landscape. These vantage locations enhance the connection between the museum's interior and the natural world outside, allowing visitors to appreciate the scenery while being fully immersed in the experience.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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