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Recycled Wood Integration and Green Roofs Amid Iceland's Thermal Caves

Authors:
Sergio Hernández martos, Ignacio Montes montero, María de la luz Frías piñero
Recycled Wood Integration and Green Roofs Amid Iceland's Thermal Caves

Project in-detail

Built with recycled wood and topped with green roofs, the structure seamlessly blends into Iceland’s rift landscape while serving as a hub for visitors exploring the nearby thermal caves.
5 key facts about this project
01
Recycled wood panels are used throughout the structure to enhance sustainability.
02
Green roofs are designed to integrate with the natural landscape and promote biodiversity.
03
A double water system captures rainwater for building use while managing gray water for irrigation.
04
An observation tower offers strategic views of the surrounding geological features.
05
Pedestrian pathways facilitate direct access to the thermal caves, enhancing visitor engagement.

The Iceland Cave Tower is located in a unique geological area in Iceland, marked by the rift created by two tectonic plates. This distinctive setting serves as an important backdrop for a design that aims to enhance visitor interaction with the region's thermal caves. The design concept focuses on blending architecture with the natural surroundings, encouraging exploration while respecting the delicate environment.

Concept and Design Integration
The design emphasizes a connection between the architecture and the landscape. A network of pedestrian pathways guides visitors through key areas, allowing them to engage with the thermal caves and surrounding nature. This approach promotes movement and exploration, offering individuals a close-up experience of Iceland's geological features. The layout is carefully planned to ensure accessibility, making it easy for visitors to navigate and enjoy the site.

Functional Elements
Key components of the design include a reception building with an observation tower that serves as the main entry point. This structure helps orient visitors while providing views of the impressive geological formations in the area. An observation deck is thoughtfully placed within the layout to allow guests to appreciate the landscape from different perspectives. Additionally, parking and intervention areas have been integrated to support visitor access, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural landscape.

Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is a significant focus of the design, reflected in both material choices and environmental management techniques. Wood panels made from recycled materials are utilized, aiming to reduce environmental impact and highlight ecological awareness. Extensive green roofs and efficient drainage systems are incorporated, further emphasizing the commitment to sustainability and the preservation of the area’s natural resources.

Water Resource Management
The design also features a double water system that reduces stress on the local aquifer. This system captures rainwater for use in the building and filters gray water for irrigation. Such measures demonstrate an understanding of water conservation, ensuring that the building meets visitor needs while promoting ecological balance.

The observation deck provides clear views across the landscape, framed by the natural edges of the rift, allowing visitors to connect with the geological heritage of Iceland.

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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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