Get inspired!

16,544 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Natural Stone Integration With Refractory Brick and Community Gathering Spaces in a Circular Form

Authors:
Roi Corentin, Demilly Charles
Natural Stone Integration With Refractory Brick and Community Gathering Spaces in a Circular Form

Project in-detail

With its circular form crafted from local stone and refractory brick, this architectural solution serves as a welcoming gathering space for hikers, seamlessly blending functionality with its rugged desert surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
The structure features a central mass stove that utilizes thermal mass for heating, enhancing comfort in a harsh environment.
02
Local stone is prominently integrated into the façade, creating a visual connection with the surrounding landscape.
03
The circular floor plan optimizes space, facilitating movement and interaction among visitors while providing panoramic views.
04
Large, strategically placed windows flood the interior with natural light, enhancing the connection between indoors and outdoors.
05
The design reflects traditional Nordic gathering spaces, emphasizing community and social engagement in a contemporary context.
The project under review is an architectural design known as Aflinn, located at the base of Hverfjall. This structure serves not only as a physical addition to the landscape but embodies the idea of a gathering point within a rocky desert environment. Aflinn is conceptualized as a warm refuge for hikers and visitors, intentionally designed to contrast the rugged terrain surrounding it. The building is a refuge that invites exploration and interaction while offering essential services to outdoor enthusiasts.

Aflinn represents a thoughtful integration of architecture with its natural surroundings. Its form and function highlight the relationship between the built environment and the landscape it inhabits. The design is rooted in the principles of local culture and the natural characteristics of the site, emphasizing sustainability and user experience.

The building spans an area of 617 m², featuring a circular form that allows for various spatial arrangements conducive to different activities. The strategic placement of large windows not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also provides visitors with uninterrupted views of the stunning landscape. Natural light floods the interior, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages social interaction among occupants.

Key architectural features include the mass stove located at the heart of the design, which serves as both a comfort source and a central gathering place. This feature reflects traditional Nordic customs, where communal hearths played an essential role in bringing people together. The surrounding areas are carefully organized to provide distinct zones for exhibiting local art and culture, offering café services, and creating spaces for relaxation.

The material palette of Aflinn is carefully chosen to resonate with the environment while addressing functional needs. Refractory brick serves as the primary material for the mass stove, offering efficient thermal regulation. Concrete forms the building’s structure, providing longevity and stability, while site stone is utilized in the façade to ensure that the building blends seamlessly into the natural surroundings. Wood is incorporated through ceiling beams, lending warmth and a tactile quality to the interior spaces.

The architectural design of Aflinn embraces unique approaches that address climate, context, and community needs. The building's adaptive nature allows it to function variably, responding to both indoor and outdoor requirements. It is designed not just as a shelter, but as a place of engagement, where the boundaries between nature and built form are blurred, fostering a sense of connection and continuity.

Ultimately, Aflinn is a testament to the potential of architectural designs to enhance human experience within natural landscapes. Its thoughtful integration of function, materiality, and cultural resonance presents a compelling narrative about the way modern architecture can exist in harmony with its environment. For those interested in gaining deeper insight into the project, including the architectural plans, sections, and designs that reveal its comprehensive concept, further exploration of the project presentation is encouraged. This deeper dive into the architectural ideas behind Aflinn will illuminate the careful consideration given to every aspect of its design.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 16544 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy