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Pinewood Facade Overlooking Iceland’s Geographic Features

Authors:
Tuan Tran Anh, Thang Phung Ngoc, Hieu Ngo Minh
Pinewood Facade Overlooking Iceland’s Geographic Features
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The design showcases a pinewood facade that harmonizes with Iceland’s striking landscape while serving as an observation tower, allowing visitors to engage with the natural environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Developed as a connection point between two continents, the tower offers distinct views of Europe and North America.
02
Constructed using steel frames, it ensures stability while minimizing ecological impact.
03
The design integrates large glass surfaces to enhance natural light and views.
04
A pedestrian bridge links the tower to iconic landmarks like Myvatn Lake and Hverfjall Volcano.
05
The technical station utilizes geothermal energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

R'hllor Tower is an architectural structure located in the captivating landscape of Iceland, designed to resonate with the themes of light and nature. Drawing its inspiration from R'hllor, the god of light, heat, and life from *Game of Thrones*, the tower embodies a connection between the natural environment and the built form. Functionally, it serves as both an observation point and a gateway for visitors to engage with the surrounding topography, allowing them to experience the unique characteristics of Icelandic phenomena.

Structural Identity

The tower reinforces its vertical design through a careful relationship with its surroundings, acting as a direct axis between Europe and North America. This orientation promotes a conversation between two landmasses, inviting exploration through its pathways. A pedestrian bridge extends horizontally, linking the tower to nearby landmarks such as Myvatn Lake and Hverfjall Volcano. This design choice enriches the landscape with both geological and cultural significance.

Transparency and Light

The use of large glass surfaces in the tower's design allows abundant natural light to penetrate the interior spaces. This transparency creates interaction with the external environment, where visitors can witness the landscape’s beauty throughout the day. Lighting is strategically placed, with large beam angle downlights and interior linear LEDs that highlight the architectural forms. This approach enhances the experience within the tower while ensuring that views remain unobstructed.

Material Selection

Steel frames and trusses form the primary structural elements, providing stability and durability while minimizing ecological impact. The choice of these materials supports a strong framework suited to the site’s natural conditions. The pedestrian bridge features a façade of pinewood planks, which adds a warm quality that aligns with the landscape, resulting in a visual contrast against Iceland's rugged scenery.

The design also includes practical amenities, such as parking and restrooms. These facilities are integrated into the site without detracting from the main architectural focus. A technical station connected to a geothermal system exemplifies the commitment to sustainable practices by making use of Iceland's natural energy sources.

A final notable detail of R'hllor Tower is the observation platform that encourages visitors to engage with the breathtaking views. It creates an opportunity for a personal experience of the Icelandic landscape, highlighting the unique beauty found in this natural setting.

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Enter an open architecture
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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