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Green Roof Pavilion with Concrete Benches Embracing Icelandic Caves

Authors:
Zsofia Vancsura, Ádám Balog
Green Roof Pavilion with Concrete Benches Embracing Icelandic Caves

Project in-detail

A green roof integrates with the landscape while concrete benches provide durable seating, creating a community-focused pavilion that invites visitors to experience the nearby Grjótagjá Caves through film and cultural engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
A triangular passage integrates the cinema with the natural caves nearby.
02
The pavilion's design draws inspiration from traditional Icelandic turf houses.
03
Concrete benches enhance durability while maintaining a connection to the landscape.
04
The green roof reduces visual impact and offers a space for visitors to gather.
05
Acoustic optimization in the polygonal cinema ensures an improved viewing experience.

The Iceland Movie Pavilion is located near the Grjótagjá Caves in northern Iceland, an area known for its striking geological features. The design functions as a venue for cinematic experiences while also serving as a landmark that invites exploration of the rugged landscape. The overall concept centers around creating a strong connection between the building and its natural surroundings, allowing visitors to engage with both the architecture and the cultural context of the site.

Concept and Spatial Organization

The design features a triangular configuration composed of three edges: Karlagjá (Men Cave), Kvennahjá (Women Cave), and the movie pavilion itself. This shape encourages visitors to navigate through the space while enhancing their experience of the landscape. The arrangement highlights the relationship between the architecture and the history of the area, drawing attention to the cultural significance of Iceland’s natural features.

Materiality and Structural Considerations

Concrete benches are used for the exterior walls, providing a solid and durable structure that can withstand Iceland's unpredictable weather. Clear glass is prominently featured, allowing for a direct visual connection between the inside and outside, which helps to bring the landscape into the building. The incorporation of wood frames into the roof design draws on traditional Icelandic turf houses, adding warmth and cultural relevance to the overall aesthetic.

Environmental Integration and Acoustic Design

The building’s design includes a tilted roof that helps redirect wind, making it resilient in harsh conditions. This aerodynamic shape is not only practical but also gives the pavilion a balanced look amidst its natural surroundings. Inside, the polygonal cinema space is designed for up to 50 visitors, with careful attention paid to acoustics for an enhanced audiovisual experience.

The green roof merges with the landscape, reducing the visual impact of the structure and creating a peaceful environment for gatherings. The Pavilion stands as a representation of Icelandic culture, offering a space where visitors can enjoy films and connect with the beauty of nature surrounding them.

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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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