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Mirrored Facades and Courtyards Creating Landscape Connections in Exhibition Spaces

Authors:
Lily Richards, Courtney Albertini, Jacqui Gout
Mirrored Facades and Courtyards Creating Landscape Connections in Exhibition Spaces
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Mirrored facades reflect the surrounding landscape while creating dynamic courtyards that enhance visitor interaction in an exhibition space designed to showcase Icelandic natural beauty.
5 key facts about this project
01
Mirrored facades reflect the surrounding Icelandic landscape.
02
Four exhibition spaces are connected by transitional courtyards.
03
A ramp enhances accessibility between the ground floor and mezzanine.
04
Bifold doors allow for flexible exhibition configurations.
05
Internal circulation paths mimic the natural contours of the site.

Víðsýni is situated near Myvatn Lake in Iceland and is designed to highlight the unique features of its landscape. The building serves as an exhibition space where visitors can engage with various displays while surrounded by natural beauty. The overall concept focuses on creating an experience that emphasizes wide views and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor areas.

Spatial Organisation

The layout of the ground floor consists of four exhibition spaces that are separated by courtyards. These courtyards form a central circulation route that guides visitors as they explore the facility. This arrangement encourages movement and interaction with the landscape. Visitors transition smoothly between the inside and outside, enhancing their experience.

Functionality and Flexibility

A mezzanine level complements the ground floor and serves multiple purposes. It acts as a lobby for the exhibition areas and provides a place to overlook the surrounding beauty. This level is also designed for overflow during events, increasing the usability of the space. A ramp connects the mezzanine to the exhibition areas, ensuring accessibility for all users.

Exhibition Design and User Experience

The design of the exhibition spaces includes bifold doors. These doors can change smaller areas into a larger, more open space. This flexibility is important for different types of exhibits and encourages visitors to engage with the displays. The internal circulation paths follow the natural shapes of the nearby landscape, reinforcing the connection between buildings and nature.

Visually Dynamic Facade

Mirrored surfaces are a significant aspect of the design, as they enhance the visual interaction between the building and its striking surroundings. These reflective surfaces allow the environment to be part of the experience, creating a vibrant dance of light and shadow on the structure. When approaching Víðsýni, the building blends with the landscape, highlighting the relationship between architecture and the natural world.

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

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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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