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Height Variation and Natural Wood Create Community Retreat by Myvatn Lake

Author:
Sarabi Molina
Height Variation and Natural Wood Create Community Retreat by Myvatn Lake

Project in-detail

Incorporating height variation and a wooden structure, the design offers a thoughtful response to the natural setting near Myvatn Lake, providing a functional retreat that enhances community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Height variation in the structure enhances views and privacy.
02
Wooden framework incorporates traditional Icelandic building methods.
03
Light voids strategically placed to optimize natural illumination.
04
Fiber insulation contributes to improved energy efficiency.
05
Location near Myvatn Lake integrates the building with the landscape.

Vergvisir Guest House is situated near Myvatn Lake and the town of Reykjahlid in Iceland. The design combines elements of shelter, tradition, and community. Its name, "Vergvisir," is inspired by an old Viking navigation sign, representing its purpose as a safe retreat for visitors amidst the natural landscape.

Architectural Concept
- The layout promotes a strong connection with the surrounding environment. Varying height sets define the structure and draw attention to significant focal points nearby. This height variation offers a dynamic quality, ensuring that guests can enjoy both privacy and an opportunity to reflect on the open sky.

Spatial Organization
- Inside the guest house, spaces are arranged to promote fluid movement and social interaction. Thoughtfully planned transitions enhance the flow throughout the interior. Incorporating light voids and varying ceiling heights allows natural light to enter, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout.

Facade Treatment
- Facades are oriented to make the most of natural light and views. Design choices on the North, West, East, and South sides ensure not only aesthetic appeal but also practical responses to local climate conditions. This attention to detail allows the guest house to maintain its functionality across different seasons.

Material Use
- The materials selected for construction highlight the connection to the landscape. A wooden structure grounds the design in Icelandic tradition, while fiber insulation improves energy efficiency and comfort. These choices encourage visitors to feel at one with their surroundings, both physically and culturally.

The guest house incorporates a tonal palette inspired by the Icelandic landscape, creating a sense of unity between the building and its environment.

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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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