Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Hempcrete Lookout Point Embracing Volcanic Landscape

Author:
Jill Ries
Hempcrete Lookout Point Embracing Volcanic Landscape

Project in-detail

Constructed with hempcrete, the lookout point rises above the volcanic landscape of Hverfjall, creating a serene space for visitors to absorb sweeping views while finding refuge from Iceland's unpredictable weather.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily from hempcrete, ensuring sustainability and fire resistance.
02
Features three wooden platforms designed to resemble swirling clouds.
03
Includes a central indoor fireplace, enhancing the atmosphere and warmth.
04
Hanging net offers an immersive experience with the surrounding landscape.
05
Zenithal and mural openings create a serene, light-filled environment.

VolcanOH is a new lookout point located near Hverfjall, an extinct tuff ring volcano in Iceland. The design aims to provide visitors with expansive views of the stunning landscape while offering a space to retreat from the changing weather. The overall concept emphasizes a strong connection to nature, blending functional elements with an aesthetic that captures the essence of volcanic activity.

Design Concept

The concept behind volcanOH focuses on connecting human experience with the environment. The structure is elevated, allowing for wide vistas of Hverfjall and the surrounding area. Three wooden platforms encircle the main structure, designed to mimic the movement of clouds. This layout encourages exploration and moments of reflection, guiding visitors to engage with the natural setting.

Spatial Organization

A central element of the design is the indoor fireplace, which enhances the atmosphere and provides warmth. Together with strategically placed skylights and mural openings, it creates a calming environment. The lookout point is organized around a base that resembles a volcano, leading visitors up several levels of platforms. This ascending pathway immerses people in the landscape before they reach the main observation area.

Materiality

Hempcrete serves as the primary building material, selected for its sustainability and fire-resistant characteristics. Much lighter than concrete, hempcrete allows for efficient construction in the challenging climate. The wooden framework lends structural support while complementing the building's overall design. The exterior cladding is chosen to blend with the dark tones of the Icelandic landscape, reinforcing the link between the architecture and its natural surroundings.

Architectural Detail

The design includes unique features, such as a hanging net, providing visitors with an immersive experience. People can lie suspended, surrounded by picturesque views. This detail invites deeper interaction with the landscape, encouraging individuals to appreciate the tranquil beauty of Hverfjall. Throughout the design, the relationship between structure and nature is central, creating a space that enhances the experience of the volcanic terrain.

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