Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Immersive Geothermal Experience with Tectonic Footbridge

Authors:
Lucas Dias, Ariel Calabrese
Immersive Geothermal Experience with Tectonic Footbridge

Project in-detail

An upside-down spatial arrangement showcases the Grjótagjá Fault’s geological features, while an integrated footbridge and geothermal heating enhance the visitor experience in this immersive observation site.
5 key facts about this project
01
An integrated footbridge allows visitors to experience the fault from above.
02
Water fills the fault, creating an immersive natural feature.
03
Geothermal heating provides warmth, enhancing comfort in cold conditions.
04
The design encourages upward gazing, revealing the fault's structure.
05
Rest areas are strategically placed to promote reflection on geological processes.

The design around the Grjótagjá Fault is situated in a landscape shaped by the movement of tectonic plates. The observation site provides a space for learning and engagement, allowing visitors to connect with the geological significance of the area. The concept focuses on creating a spatial journey that highlights geological processes and encourages exploration.

Scenographic Elements

The design features a scenographic space that mimics the shapes of tectonic plate apertures, guiding visitors through an interactive experience with the fault. By recreating these natural forms, the layout allows for a direct encounter with the geological features. Visitors can observe the fault from various angles, deepening their understanding of the area’s geological history.

Interactive Features

Rest and refreshment areas are thoughtfully integrated above the main observation space. A footbridge spans the fault, offering visitors a chance to pause and take in the geological surroundings from new perspectives. This thoughtful mix of areas for relaxation and exploration enhances the overall experience, inviting deeper contemplation of the fault’s narrative.

Spatial Arrangements

An interesting aspect of the design is the "upside down" arrangement. Visitors can look up to see the fault from an unusual perspective. The incorporation of water into the fault adds to the immersive quality. This feature not only engages the senses but also emphasizes the ongoing natural processes within the landscape, fostering a connection to the environment.

Thermal Integration

The project includes a floor heating system that utilizes local geothermal energy. This feature allows visitors to lie down and feel the warmth, offering a contrast to the cooler temperatures outside. Through this design choice, the experience is enriched, reinforcing the connection between the visitors and the geological context in which they are situated.

The site culminates in a clear architectural expression that emphasizes the complexities of tectonic movement. It encourages active engagement with the natural world. Water fills the fault, altering the landscape and inviting visitors to explore and reflect on the geological features.

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