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Mobile Guest Rooms Featuring Reclaimed Wood and Sheep Wool Insulation for Northern Lights Retreat

Author:
Emily Geigle
Mobile Guest Rooms Featuring Reclaimed Wood and Sheep Wool Insulation for Northern Lights Retreat
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Mobile guest rooms constructed with reclaimed wood and insulated with sheep wool offer a sustainable accommodation experience that emphasizes views of the Northern Lights near Lake Mývatn.
5 key facts about this project
01
Mobile units allow customization of views for each guest.
02
Utilizes sheep wool for insulation, enhancing thermal performance.
03
Geothermal energy systems support all heating and electricity needs.
04
Reclaimed wood materials reduce environmental impact in construction.
05
Educational resources on wildlife and Northern Lights enhance visitor experience.

### Project Overview
Kanna encompasses a series of mobile guest rooms and a comprehensive resort located near Lake Mývatn, Iceland, designed to enhance visitors' experiences of the Northern Lights. The project aligns closely with its natural surroundings, utilizing the unique geographical features of the area to inform the architectural layout and intent. The name "Kanna," meaning "to explore" in Icelandic, reflects the emphasis on creating immersive experiences that connect guests with the landscape.

### Spatial Configuration
The layout of Kanna is strategically oriented to optimize views of the auroras. Mobile guest rooms are designed to be reconfigurable, allowing them to adapt according to guests’ preferences for scenic visibility. This approach not only maintains visual connections to the lake and sky but also facilitates a flexible use of space, ensuring that each visitor can personalize their experience while remaining attuned to the natural environment.

### Material Selection and Sustainability
The architectural design prioritizes the use of local and sustainable materials, reinforcing the connection between the built environment and the surrounding landscape. Pine wood is selected for its lightweight and aesthetic qualities, while reclaimed wood is integrated within interior spaces to promote sustainability. Sheep wool serves as insulation, providing enhanced thermal efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Buildings are powered by geothermal energy, harnessing the region's natural resources for heating and electricity. An innovative water management system that collects rainwater for reuse further underscores the commitment to environmental sustainability. The combination of these elements not only addresses functional needs but also contributes to a broader ecological ethos within the design framework.

The design incorporates large windows in the mobile guest rooms, facilitating unobstructed views of the Northern Lights and enhancing the indoor-outdoor relationship. The resort includes a social hub featuring a dining hall, outdoor terrace, and educational resources on local wildlife and phenomena, encouraging guest engagement with the natural surroundings.

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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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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20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
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