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Rammed Earth Pavilion with Spherical Core Enhancing Community Engagement

Authors:
Hanna Schmitthenner, Asta Hansen, Hanna Schmitthenner
Rammed Earth Pavilion with Spherical Core Enhancing Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Constructed from rammed earth and featuring a distinctive spherical core, the pavilion enhances community interaction while providing a versatile space for film screenings and social gatherings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rammed earth construction enhances thermal efficiency and blends with the natural landscape.
02
The pavilion features a unique spherical core that serves as the central gathering point.
03
Large windows in the café area provide panoramic views of the surrounding Icelandic scenery.
04
Partitions in the cinema hall allow for flexible seating arrangements for various events.
05
The lighting design adapts to different times of day, creating a dynamic viewing atmosphere.

The Iceland Movie Pavilion, named "UFO, GRJÓTAGJÁ," is situated in the expansive landscape of Iceland. The design caters to multiple functions, combining the experience of watching films with opportunities for community interaction. The concept revolves around blending public and private spaces, creating an environment that invites visitors to engage from the moment they step inside.

Spatial Organization
The layout of the pavilion is designed for easy movement and access. Upon entering, guests find a spacious foyer that serves as both a welcome area and a lounge. This area encourages exploration and interaction, where visitors can browse promotional materials related to films. The pavilion features a central spherical core that simplifies movement to ticketing and the cinema hall, enhancing the overall experience.

Adaptability and Functionality
The cinema hall is designed with flexibility in mind. This space can adapt to various events beyond simple film screenings. Partition walls can be opened to allow for different seating arrangements, making it suitable for social gatherings as well. Significant attention is given to seating comfort. Though designed for film viewing, it accommodates other functions without losing clarity of purpose.

Light and Atmosphere
Lighting plays an important role in shaping the pavilion's atmosphere. A blend of natural light and artificial sources enhances the environment and changes throughout the day. This carefully planned lighting allows visitors to immerse themselves in the films shown without distraction. It sets the mood for each screening, ensuring an enjoyable viewing experience.

Materiality
Rammed earth is the main material used in construction, providing a connection to the environment. This choice supports sustainability and offers considerable thermal efficiency. The pavilion's core is covered in aluminum sourced locally, contributing to an updated look while also reflecting the natural light and colors of the landscape.

Large windows in the café area afford views of the surrounding Icelandic scenery, enriching the visitor experience. This connection to the outdoors allows natural light to illuminate the interior spaces, promoting a bright and welcoming atmosphere throughout the pavilion.

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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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