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Panoramic Greenhouse Crafted From Glass and Local Timber Emphasizing Sustainability and Community Interaction

Author:
Heffrence Teow
Panoramic Greenhouse Crafted From Glass and Local Timber Emphasizing Sustainability and Community Interaction

Project in-detail

Crafted with expansive glass walls and locally sourced timber, the design offers a seamless connection to the Icelandic landscape, creating a community-focused greenhouse restaurant that prioritizes sustainability and local gastronomy.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted with locally sourced cross-laminated timber panels for reduced environmental impact.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for enhanced durability and fire resistance.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that optimizes natural light and ventilation.
04
Emphasizes a farm-to-table philosophy with direct access to surrounding agricultural land.
05
Designed to facilitate community interaction with flexible indoor and outdoor spaces.
The architectural project features a greenhouse restaurant in Iceland designed to provide a unique dining experience while promoting sustainable practices rooted in local agriculture. The project integrates various spatial elements, creating a cohesive relationship between the built environment and its natural surroundings. Emphasizing a farm-to-table approach, the design highlights the significance of local food sourcing, creating a setting where diners can connect with their food source amidst Iceland's diverse landscape.

The Greenhouse Restaurant serves as the project's central feature, designed with large glass walls to maximize natural light and provide unobstructed views of the adjacent agricultural landscape. The structure utilizes a combination of wood and glass materials, ensuring a warm and inviting atmosphere while facilitating an open connection to the outdoors. This transparency fosters an appreciation for the natural beauty of Iceland, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the environment.

Adjacent to the restaurant are additional structures including The Cone, a multipurpose space, and The Tetrahedron Lounge Bar, both crafted to enhance the user experience while engaging with the Icelandic vistas. The Cone is notable for its circular concrete form, which rises upward and reflects the surrounding landscape, serving as a flexible space for various events. The Tetrahedron, with its distinctive triangular shape, emphasizes panoramic views, creating a tranquil space for guests to relax and enjoy refreshments.

The project employs sustainable architectural strategies, notably its integration of locally sourced materials. The use of granite in some structures adds a rugged aesthetic that resonates with the local geological characteristics. The design also emphasizes energy efficiency, utilizing natural light and thermal mass from concrete and glass to reduce energy consumption.

A unique aspect of this architectural endeavor is its focus on creating a holistic experience rather than merely a physical structure. Each space is thoughtfully designed to encourage interaction with the natural landscape, emphasizing calmness, community, and an authentic relationship with the environment. This approach contrasts with conventional dining experiences, making it distinct in its integration of dining, education, and environmental awareness.

The layout of the project ensures that each space complements the others while maintaining visual and functional coherence. The arrangement invites movement and exploration, allowing visitors to navigate seamlessly between the restaurant, lounge bar, and multipurpose area. Architectural sections illustrate how the design capitalizes on the landscape's elevation changes, enhancing the overall aesthetic and practical experience within the site.

This project exemplifies a modern architectural response to sustainability and local integration. The focus on a farm-to-table philosophy, combined with unique structural forms and materiality, creates a distinctive architectural identity for the greenhouse restaurant in Iceland. For a comprehensive understanding of the design, including architectural plans and sections, readers are encouraged to explore the project's presentation for further insights into its innovative ideas and detailed design approach.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
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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
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