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Photovoltaic Glass Platforms Offering 360-Degree Volcanic Views

Authors:
Ruxandra Eftenie, Felix Waldner
Photovoltaic Glass Platforms Offering 360-Degree Volcanic Views

Project in-detail

Constructed from modular steel and enveloped in photovoltaic glass, the observation platforms provide unique 360-degree views of the volcanic landscape while prioritizing user interaction and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed entirely from modular steel elements for easy assembly and relocation.
02
Each platform varies in size, with diameters ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 meters.
03
Equipped with amorphous silicon glass that serves as both enclosure and energy capture.
04
Design allows for 360-degree unobstructed views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
05
Access is facilitated by ladders, promoting direct interaction with the environment.

The observation platforms located atop a volcano provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with their surroundings. Designed for both functionality and adaptability, these platforms utilize modular construction methods that make assembly and relocation straightforward. Their varying sizes and heights create an interesting profile against the landscape, inviting exploration and interaction with the environment.

Functionality and Access

The platforms are constructed from modular steel elements that allow for quick deployment. Each unit has a diameter ranging from 2.5 meters to 4.5 meters and heights between 5 meters and 10 meters. This variation in dimensions contributes to a visually appealing structure that contrasts with the ruggedness of the volcano. Access is facilitated by ladders, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the experience, while enhancing the connection between the structures and the natural world.

Sustainable Design Features

A key component of the design is the all-glass building skin. This amorphous silicon glass serves two primary functions: it provides clear views of the landscape and acts as a solar energy collector. By capturing sunlight during the day, the glass enables the platforms to be illuminated at night. This feature not only emphasizes sustainability but also creates a visual presence that remains noticeable after dark.

Integration with Landscape

The observation platforms are thoughtfully arranged to offer a 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain. This layout encourages visitors to appreciate the volcanic landscape from multiple vantage points. The change in elevation among the platforms fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration. The combination of the structural framework and the transparent façade allows the architecture to coexist harmoniously with the natural features of the site, highlighting both the built and the unbuilt environment.

Light filters through the glass, creating shifting patterns within the observation spaces. As the sun moves across the sky, these patterns change, connecting visitors to the passage of time and the natural rhythms of the landscape.

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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

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