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Recycling Nature's Resources with Bird's Down and Timber in a Community Hub

Authors:
Blanca Pedrosa, Desmond Hung
Recycling Nature's Resources with Bird's Down and Timber in a Community Hub

Project in-detail

Utilizing locally sourced timber and bird's down, the community center serves as an educational hub that promotes sustainability and cultural exchange in the unique landscape of northeastern Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local bird's down for insulation, enhancing energy efficiency.
02
Incorporates a two-level layout separating public engagement from operational functions.
03
Features panoramic views thanks to its strategic adaptation to the site's topography.
04
Showcases a commitment to sustainability through the recycling of regional timber resources.
05
Serves as a cultural center, promoting education on ecological practices and local heritage.

Lykkjuhús is located in northeastern Iceland, positioned between the municipalities of Skútustaðahreppur and Þingeyjarsveit along the well-known Diamond Circle tourist route. The structure serves as a community center focused on education about sustainability while fostering cultural exchange. The design is built around the theme of "Life Cycles," which emphasizes the connections between human activity and the natural environment.

Design Concept
The architecture emphasizes harmony with the surrounding landscape. The primary goal is to limit ecological disruption while inviting visitors to interact with the natural environment. By incorporating educational elements related to sustainability, the center helps to raise awareness about environmental issues and promotes responsible practices among users.

Building Layout
The layout of the center is organized into two levels, each with a specific purpose. The upper ground level contains spaces for public engagement, leisure activities, and educational programs. The lower ground level is dedicated to operational functions, focusing primarily on recycling activities that utilize local materials, such as timber and bird's down from the area around Lake Mývatn. This clear separation enhances operational efficiency while ensuring that visitor experiences remain a priority.

Material Utilization
A key feature of Lykkjuhús is the emphasis on locally sourced materials, especially timber. By prioritizing recycling and repurposing, the design showcases how architecture can reinforce ecological principles. The use of these materials connects the building to its environment, illustrating a commitment to sustainability while also encouraging a culture of reuse within the community.

Interaction with Landscape
The building's form adapts to the natural topography, allowing for varied elevations and providing stunning views of the surrounding landscape. This thoughtful integration enhances the visitor experience. The landscaping around the building further supports this relationship, creating a natural flow between the built environment and the outdoor setting.

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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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