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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

Project in-detail

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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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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

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