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Hot Springs Amid Replanted Pines with Green Roof Integration

Author:
Alexis Rivero
Hot Springs Amid Replanted Pines with Green Roof Integration
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A geothermal plant room provides energy-efficient heating for a wellness center that uniquely integrates hot springs and replanted pine trees, promoting relaxation and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
A dedicated geothermal plant room ensures energy-efficient heating throughout the facility.
02
The design incorporates hot springs, enhancing wellness offerings for visitors.
03
Replanted pine trees surrounding the site support local biodiversity and natural aesthetics.
04
A green roof improves insulation and integrates the structure with the environment.
05
Visitor amenities are designed for accessibility, enhancing overall user experience.

HVERFJALL combines functionality with a focus on sustainability, responding well to community needs. The design is structured across two levels, each serving distinct purposes. The overall concept creates spaces where visitors can engage with art, relax in wellness areas, and participate in community activities. It offers a thoughtful balance between various uses and environmental considerations.

Ground Level Overview

The ground level is organized to prioritize visitor experience. It features a welcoming entrance and an exhibition space that supports artistic engagement. Important amenities like toilets, information workstations, and elevators are placed for convenience. Meeting rooms are strategically distributed, allowing for collaboration and social interaction. This layout emphasizes accessibility and comfort, making it easy for visitors to navigate and enjoy the various offerings.

Lower Ground Level Amenities

On the lower ground level, the design shifts towards leisure. A café-bar invites social gatherings and downtime, enhancing the overall experience. Hot springs are a distinctive feature that adds a wellness aspect, encouraging relaxation and promoting health. Dressing rooms support the use of both the café and hot springs, ensuring practicality for visitors. The presence of storage and service areas contributes to operational functionality while maintaining a focus on visitor experience.

Energy Systems and Sustainability

Sustainability is integrated into the building’s energy systems. The design accounts for factors like wind resistance and sunlight, which helps reduce energy consumption. A green roof improves thermal efficiency and encourages plant life, blending the building with its surroundings. The geothermal plant room is vital for energy-efficient heating, aligning with modern sustainability goals.

Architectural Detailing

Architectural details convey thoughtfulness in design. Replanted pine trees enhance the site, supporting local ecology while also improving its appearance. This connection to nature adds depth to the user experience, fostering a sense of place. The careful consideration of both functionality and aesthetics enriches the overall character of HVERFJALL, creating an inviting environment for the community.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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