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Native Plants and Timber Finishes Shaping a Grounded Cultural Space

Authors:
Scott Thorp, Logan Burns, Wulf Borrmeister, Sarah Hooran Park Hooran Park
Native Plants and Timber Finishes Shaping a Grounded Cultural Space

Project in-detail

Uplifted sections of local terrain and integrated native plants form a sustainable landscape that enhances the user experience in a multifunctional café and cinema.
5 key facts about this project
01
Uplifted landforms create habitable areas beneath the structure.
02
Native plants are integrated into the green roof design to enhance ecosystem support.
03
A central fault-like axis connects various programmatic elements for fluid movement.
04
Timber finishes provide warmth, creating an inviting atmosphere throughout.
05
Roof openings allow natural light to illuminate key interior spaces effectively.

Sub-Surface is an architectural design located in Iceland, focusing on the integration with the area's unique geological and cultural elements. The proposal involves uplifting parts of the land to create usable spaces beneath the surface, maintaining close visual connections to the surrounding landscape. The design centers around a central fault-like axis, which creates a smooth flow between the various functional areas of the structure.

Conceptual Framework
The design emphasizes a connection to the local environment, using a low-profile form that mirrors the natural topography shaped by lava flows and mountainous features. This approach respects the visual openness of the land, allowing occupants to enjoy clear views of nearby landmarks such as Hverfjall, Hlíðarfjall, and Sellandafjall. Transparency is a key feature, ensuring that the beauty of the natural surroundings is visible from inside the building.

Roof Design and Functionality
The roof plays a multifaceted role, offering a natural area for play and a place for stargazing. It is designed to blend with the landscape and incorporates a green roof that uses local soil and plants. This approach contributes to ecological balance while effectively managing rainwater to be reused in the building. Integrating these sustainable elements highlights a focus on environmental awareness throughout the project.

Interior and Spatial Organization
The interior layout revolves around a central axis that allows various functions, such as a cinema or café, to work flexibly. Proposed timber finishes bring warmth to the spaces, enhancing the overall atmosphere. Roof openings let natural light pour into the building, softening the line between indoors and outdoors. The layout includes fault-like passages, promoting movement and interaction within the environment.

The careful design of internal and external spaces encourages a strong connection to the Icelandic landscape, allowing users to experience the beauty of nature while engaging with the architectural form.

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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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