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Reclaimed Wood and Green Concrete Define A Farm-to-Table Dining Experience in Iceland

Authors:
Eleonor Lomboy, Hannah Angelika Valencia
Reclaimed Wood and Green Concrete Define A Farm-to-Table Dining Experience in Iceland

Project in-detail

Reclaimed wood and green concrete form a dining destination that engages visitors with the natural surroundings and offers a unique farm-to-table experience in Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
Reclaimed wood is sourced locally to enhance sustainability.
02
Four specialized greenhouses grow a diverse range of crops on-site.
03
A water garden captures snowfall for use as a seasonal feature.
04
The design maximizes panoramic views of Hverfjall and Myvatn.
05
Dining areas include both indoor seating and an outdoor patio.

Lucky Greens, situated in Iceland near the Myvatn Nature Baths and Hverfjall volcano, combines community, culture, and sustainable practices in its design. This destination focuses on providing a farm-to-table dining experience, allowing visitors to connect with the surrounding landscape. The design encourages openness and interaction, showcasing the importance of local food production.

Design Intent

The concept emphasizes the creation of engaging experiences through sustainable and passive design techniques. These methods adapt to changing seasons, allowing for a unique dining environment. The layout is designed to guide visitors naturally from the exterior to the dining area, offering views of the beautiful landscape that surrounds the building.

Spatial Configuration

Visitors arriving by bus or car first see the building's exterior. Paths lead them to the entry and dining area. This arrangement maximizes views of Hverfjall and the Myvatn Nature Baths. The interior dining space accommodates 98 seats, with an outdoor patio providing an additional 60 seats. This setup fosters social connections and encourages a lively dining experience.

Greenhouse Integration

Four specialized greenhouses cater to the needs of the restaurant, each designed for different crops. The Skrimsli Greenhouse grows lettuce, cabbage, potatoes, kale, and spinach. The Alfhol Greenhouse is used for tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers. The Huldufolk Greenhouse cultivates strawberries, bilberries, brambleberries, and crowberries. Finally, the Vik Village Greenhouse produces mushrooms, eggplant, squash, and beans. These spaces not only supply fresh ingredients for the kitchen but also provide opportunities for education about food production.

Water Feature

A unique feature of the design is the water garden. This element captures snowfall in the winter and becomes a water display in warmer months. It reinforces the relationship with Icelandic weather and adds to the visitor experience by encouraging interaction with nature.

The project incorporates reclaimed wood and timber throughout the building. These materials are locally sourced and recycled, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. Green concrete is also used, contributing to durability and energy efficiency while reducing the overall environmental impact of the structure.

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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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