Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Reflective Glass and Expanded Metal Structure Integrating Icelandic Geology as a Visitor Center

Authors:
György Töős, Daniel Töős, Tünde Katona, Krisztián Beretvás
Reflective Glass and Expanded Metal Structure Integrating Icelandic Geology as a Visitor Center
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
High-reflective glass and expanded metal harmonize with Iceland's geological features to create a visitor center that enhances the connection between nature and education.
5 key facts about this project
01
High-reflective glass facades mirror the surrounding landscape, enhancing the integration with nature.
02
Constructed with expanded metal, the structure allows for transparency and lightness in design.
03
Incorporates photovoltaic panels for sustainable energy generation on-site.
04
The vertical composition serves as a prominent viewing platform for geological features.
05
Paths connect the visitor center to the landscape, promoting direct interaction with the environment.

The architectural project "Tectonic Periscope," located in Iceland, is designed as a visitor center aimed at enhancing the experience of exploring the region’s unique geological features. This facility not only serves as a gathering space for tourists but also as an educational resource, connecting visitors to the surrounding environment through its innovative design.

The primary function of the "Tectonic Periscope" includes providing information on the geological history of Iceland, offering panoramic views of the landscape, and creating a space for public amenities. The design integrates practical facilities like a café and exhibition areas while fostering interaction with the surrounding topography.

A key aspect of the project is its vertical composition, which enables a towering structure that stands out against the natural landscape. This verticality is not merely aesthetic but functional, serving to create a viewing platform that allows visitors to absorb the expansive views of the tectonic formations. The architectural language follows a periscope metaphor, encouraging a sense of discovery and engagement with the environment.

One unique element of this project is its careful material selection. The combination of reinforced concrete and expanded metal sheets not only ensures structural integrity but also allows for transparency and lightness. The high-reflective glass used in the upper sections of the facility further enhances this connection to the outside, as it mirrors the shifting landscape, integrating with the environment rather than dominating it. The inclusion of photovoltaic panels underscores a commitment to sustainable practices, making the structure an energy-efficient facility.

The spatial arrangement of the "Tectonic Periscope" emphasizes circulation and interaction among visitors. Design decisions prioritize both public and private zones, allowing for a seamless flow of activity without compromising the visitor experience. Integrated pathways lead visitors into the landscape, facilitating exploration beyond the immediate confines of the building.

The project distinguishes itself through its capacity to merge architectural aesthetics with functionality while maintaining a strong connection to its geographical context. The holistic approach in merging natural elements with architectural design reinforces the theme of discovery and interaction, setting the project apart from conventional visitor centers.

For those interested in a more detailed exploration of the "Tectonic Periscope," reviewing element-specific presentations such as architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural designs provides deeper insights into the project and its unique architectural ideas.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

new
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility OPEN TO ALL
Early bird registration deadline 5 November 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy