Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Green Roofs and Wood Louvres Enhance Visitor Engagement in Mývatn Museum

Author:
Nate Kirk
Green Roofs and Wood Louvres Enhance Visitor Engagement in Mývatn Museum

Project in-detail

Wood louvre brise soleil and green roofs blend with the volcanic landscape of Mývatn, creating a museum that highlights Iceland's unique geology while serving as a hub for education and research.
5 key facts about this project
01
Museum design elevated to enhance views of Hverfjall crater and Lake Mývatn.
02
Research facility dedicated to studying the region's unique geothermal features.
03
Interior courtyards incorporate native tree species to boost local biodiversity.
04
Wood louvre brise soleil provides sun shading while maintaining sightlines.
05
Green roofs integrate with the landscape, fostering habitat preservation.

The design is set within the Mývatn area of Iceland, an environment characterized by its volcanic landscapes, geothermal activity, and unique biodiversity. The development is organized in phases, featuring a museum, a research facility, and hospitality spaces. The concept is focused on creating connections between the buildings and the natural surroundings while providing educational and comfortable experiences for visitors.

Museum Design

The museum is at the center of the project, designed to engage visitors with the natural characteristics of the region. Exhibition spaces are elevated to enhance views of landmarks such as the Hverfjall crater and Lake Mývatn. This design choice encourages visitors to appreciate the geology and ecology of Iceland. Sun shading is provided by wood louvre brise soleil, which allows for natural light while preserving sightlines to the landscape.

Research Facility

A research facility accompanies the museum, dedicated to the geological and biological studies of the Mývatn area. This facility offers specialized spaces for scientists, fostering collaboration and discovery. Its layout is designed to minimize the impact on the environment and encourage interaction with the surrounding landscape.

Hospitality Component

The development also includes a hotel to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting the region. This hotel features a restaurant, event areas, and a spa, designed with visitor comfort in mind. Spaces are arranged to create opportunities for social interaction while maintaining connections to the scenic environment.

Sustainability is a key aspect of the design. There is a system for collecting rainwater, which helps reduce overall water use. Natural daylighting is emphasized to lower energy requirements. The interior courtyards support the growth of native trees, adding to the ecological value of the site. Lastly, green roofs with local shrubs and moss blend into the landscape, enhancing the natural habitat and reducing the visual impact of the buildings.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy