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Reflecting Pool and Glass Enclosure Enhancing Culinary Experiences in Iceland

Authors:
Jovana Dordevic, Dunja Petrovic
Reflecting Pool and Glass Enclosure Enhancing Culinary Experiences in Iceland

Project in-detail

A glass-enclosed greenhouse with a reflecting pool and a unique pick-your-own crops lane provides visitors a firsthand glimpse into sustainable agriculture while enjoying freshly sourced meals in Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
Glass partitions connect the dining area directly to the greenhouse.
02
Visitors can select fresh herbs and vegetables to use in their meals.
03
The terrace features a reflecting pool fed by naturally heated hot springs.
04
A stone sculpture of the Yule Lads enhances cultural engagement.
05
The restaurant offers panoramic views of Mývatn Nature Baths and Hverfjall volcano.

The Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant stands in a beautiful location that combines agricultural practices with dining. It aims to engage visitors with the food production process while providing a unique culinary experience. The design focuses on transparency and a strong connection to the natural surroundings, inviting guests to explore the relationship between food and its environment.

The Greenhouse

The greenhouse is a central feature of the design. It has a glass partition that allows customers to see the crops as they grow. This connection between the greenhouse and the restaurant highlights how the food on diners’ plates is cultivated. Inside, the greenhouse is divided into sections for different plants, ensuring each can thrive in its specific conditions. This design approach allows for future expansions, adapting as the needs of the restaurant evolve.

The Restaurant

The restaurant accommodates up to 100 people and is strategically located to offer views of Mývatn Nature Baths and Hverfjall volcano. The glass partition enhances the overall dining experience by showing how the food is sourced directly from the greenhouse. The positioning of the restaurant also considers the possibility of attracting visitors who wish to see the Northern Lights, enhancing the experience further with a stunning natural display.

Interactive Culinary Experience

A notable aspect of the restaurant is the pick-your-own-crops lane, which allows guests to select fresh vegetables and herbs directly from the greenhouse. This interactive feature helps visitors understand local food production and encourages engagement with the ingredients before they are cooked. The rentable kitchen, located next to the restaurant, gives visitors the opportunity to prepare their meals using freshly harvested ingredients, making the culinary experience more hands-on and personal.

Cultural Elements

The terrace includes a reflecting pool that is filled with naturally heated hot springs, paying tribute to Lake Mývatn nearby. This water feature is not only pleasant to look at but also adds a touch of local culture. A stone sculpture, representing the Yule Lads from Icelandic folklore, is placed within the reflecting pool. This artwork can spark conversations among visitors and connect them to the rich traditions of the area.

The design effectively combines practical needs with an appreciation for nature and culture, creating a space where food, environment, and heritage come together harmoniously.

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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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