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Removable Wooden Panels Enhance Connection to Nature in Volcanic Landscape

Author:
Jean-philippe Fabre
Removable Wooden Panels Enhance Connection to Nature in Volcanic Landscape

Project in-detail

Removable wooden panels create dynamic connections to the surrounding volcanic landscape, while the museum's design accommodates diverse educational exhibitions near Lake Mývatn.
5 key facts about this project
01
Removable wooden panels allow for flexible space usage and enhance interaction with the surrounding environment.
02
The design provides views of both the pond and Hverfjall, connecting visitors to the landscape.
03
Exhibition halls can be divided into smaller spaces to accommodate diverse displays and events.
04
The concept emphasizes a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas to foster a sense of continuity.
05
The museum integrates a basement for additional storage and exhibition capacity, optimizing operational efficiency.

The Infinite Volcano Museum, located near Lake Mývatn, aims to engage visitors with the surrounding natural landscape. It serves a dual purpose of educating visitors about the area’s geology and ecology. The design concept emphasizes a connection between the built environment and nature, creating a space that enhances the visitor experience.

Design Structure

The museum consists of three primary sections, each dedicated to different functions. The northern area serves as the entrance, housing the reception, cafeteria, and information center. This area is positioned to face both the road and Námafjall, allowing for easy access while providing a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

Exhibition Spaces

The southeastern section contains the exhibition area, which features two halls, each around 200 sqm. These spaces are designed to be flexible, allowing them to be divided into four distinct areas as needed. Two of these intimate spaces offer views of the pond, while the others provide vistas of Hverfjall. A basement is included for storage and additional exhibition space, enhancing the museum's functionality.

Administrative Zones

The western part of the museum includes administrative offices and study areas. Common workspaces and private offices are designed to overlook Lake Mývatn. This arrangement promotes collaboration while also ensuring that staff have quiet areas to focus. Large windows bring in natural light, creating a pleasant working environment throughout the day.

Interactive Elements

An important design feature is the ability for intimate spaces to open up to the pond through removable wooden panels. This design choice strengthens the connection between the indoors and the outdoors. The theme of infinity is present, as the pond mirror reflects the museum, contributing to a sense of continuity between the building and its natural surroundings.

The architectural language employs vertical elements that reflect the location’s volcanic features, aligning the structure with its topography. Technical services are cleverly concealed within the walls, maintaining a clean aesthetic that supports a clear visitor experience.

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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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