Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Greenhouse Dining Integrating Thermal Properties with Scenic Views

Author:
Anna Bowyer
Greenhouse Dining Integrating Thermal Properties with Scenic Views
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Set against the backdrop of Iceland's glacial landscape, the integration of a greenhouse for fresh produce within a thermal-efficient structure creates a unique dining experience that emphasizes sustainability and local sourcing.
5 key facts about this project
01
Greenhouse integrated directly into the dining area for fresh produce.
02
Spiral staircase serves as both a functional and experiential element.
03
Design leverages natural thermal properties for energy efficiency.
04
Views of the Mývatn nature baths enhance the dining experience.
05
Multi-level layout fosters interaction between guests and chefs.

Þrisvar is located in Iceland, a land known for its dramatic glacial landscapes. The design seeks to create a strong connection between nature and human experience, focusing on sustainability and enhancing how people enjoy food. The concept embraces the unique characteristics of the area, drawing inspiration from the surrounding glaciers and their influence on the ecosystem.

LAYOUT AND FUNCTION

The layout is carefully divided into different levels to serve specific functions. The ground floor features a multipurpose hall alongside a viewing platform, allowing visitors to take in the beautiful scenery. The arrangement promotes both leisure and observation, creating a fluid transition between indoor and outdoor areas. Upon entrance, expansive views, including those of the local Mývatn nature baths, greet guests, enriching their arrival experience.

DINING EXPERIENCE

On the lower ground level, attention shifts to the dining experience. This area includes a spacious dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and an integrated greenhouse garden. The greenhouse provides fresh produce directly to chefs, allowing guests to witness where their food comes from. This farm-to-table approach emphasizes local sourcing, making the meal not just about taste but also about the connection to the landscape.

SPIRAL STAIRCASE

A notable feature of the design is the spiral staircase connecting different levels. More than just a way to move between floors, the staircase acts as a transition from the outside world to a cozy dining space. This design invites guests to engage with the surrounding nature as they descend, enhancing their overall experience.

MATERIALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

Although specific materials are not mentioned, the design relies on natural thermal properties and sustainability. The approach suggests a focus on using materials that will fit well with the local environment. Considering climate conditions plays a vital role in the greenhouse's success, helping to provide the necessary resources for culinary offerings.

The connection between the kitchen and dining areas becomes clear through the visual presence of the greenhouse, where fresh produce grows under natural light, blending the concepts of nature and food seamlessly together.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

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