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Locally Sourced Stones and Light-Membrane Structure Enhance Greenhouse Functionality

Author:
Junichi Nakajo
Locally Sourced Stones and Light-Membrane Structure Enhance Greenhouse Functionality
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A light-membrane roof and locally sourced stones create a climate-sensitive greenhouse near Myvatn Lake, designed for sustainable cultivation and community engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Light-membrane roofing enhances thermal performance.
02
Vertical cultivation system maximizes growing space.
03
Locally sourced stones stabilize temperature fluctuations.
04
Community terrace encourages social interaction among visitors.
05
Design integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

The Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant is located near Myvatn Lake and Haverfjall Volcano, offering a unique setting for both agriculture and community interaction. Designed to blend with the natural landscape, it serves as a horticultural facility while providing a welcoming space for visitors. The design approach emphasizes practical use and encourages a connection between people and nature.

Architectural Layout

The layout features a terrain that resembles a valley, allowing for easy movement and engagement among visitors. The greenhouse acts as the central feature, incorporating a vertically expandable system for plant cultivation. This arrangement optimizes space for growing crops. It also reflects the landscape’s natural contours, making it a part of the surrounding environment.

Structural Design

The roof is constructed using a lightweight, light-membrane material that offers good thermal insulation. This choice plays a key role in maintaining a comfortable climate inside the greenhouse, especially during cold weather. The greenhouse's entrance is located on the first floor, linking it to the landscape. Inside, mesh units are used to create vertical layers that help light reach the plants effectively, enhancing their growing conditions.

Sustainability Features

The south-facing slope is designed to assist with temperature control. Locally sourced stones are placed on this slope to absorb heat during the day and release it at night. This helps create a stable environment for plant growth. Additionally, the building collects rainwater from the roof for irrigation, while geothermal heating is used to manage water temperatures, supporting sustainable practices.

Community Interaction

An open terrace provides a space for visitors to relax and connect with one another. This area encourages social interaction and enhances the overall experience. The blue volume adjacent to the terrace draws inspiration from glacial formations, visually linking the building with its natural environment and serving as an engaging entry point for all who visit.

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

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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.

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