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Sustainable Design Featuring Larch and Plywood Cabins for Trekking in Icelandic Wilderness

Authors:
Michael Widmayer, Jonathan Mittner
Sustainable Design Featuring Larch and Plywood Cabins for Trekking in Icelandic Wilderness
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Characterized by the use of larch and plywood for durability and warmth, these cabins provide essential shelter for trekkers in the remote Icelandic wilderness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with locally-sourced larch for enhanced environmental integration.
02
Utilizes a sloped roof design to withstand strong winds and heavy snowfall.
03
Features a rainwater collection system for sustainable water usage.
04
Incorporates solar panels to support energy self-sufficiency in remote areas.
05
Designed with communal spaces to promote interaction among trekkers.

## Project Overview

Located throughout the remote wilderness of Iceland, the trekking cabins are designed to provide essential shelter for outdoor enthusiasts. Inspired by traditional Viking longhouses, the structure integrates historical references with contemporary functionality to create spaces that respect the surrounding environment. The intent is to offer refuge for visitors while promoting a multifunctional approach to space usage.

## Layout and Functional Design

The architectural layout features a semi-circular form that enhances social interactions among users. Each cabin is divided into distinct areas, including private sleeping quarters, a communal kitchen, and a common room designed to encourage gatherings. This arrangement allows for panoramic views of the Icelandic landscape, as each entry faces the natural surroundings. Key functional areas include:

- **Common Room**: Acts as the centerpiece of the cabin, fostering community engagement.
- **Sleeping Rooms**: Provide individual privacy while maintaining a connection to communal living practices.
- **Kitchen and Bathroom**: Essential for ensuring self-sufficiency for trekkers, these amenities accommodate the needs of visitors.

## Material Selection and Sustainability

The cabins utilize lightweight materials such as plywood, focusing on practicality and ease of transportation. Key materials include:

- **Bituminous Membrane**: Offers waterproofing and protection against harsh weather.
- **Blushed Black Steel**: Supports structural integrity while enhancing aesthetic appeal.
- **Larch Floorboards**: Contribute warmth to interior spaces.
- **Spruce Plywood**: Forms the primary structure, balancing lightweight properties with sustainability.
- **White Oiled Marine Plywood**: Utilized for exterior finishes, providing weather resistance.
- **Insulation Panels**: Essential for energy efficiency and user comfort.

This careful selection promotes durability and aligns with sustainable design principles, aiming to minimize ecological impact while maximizing user experience. Additionally, features such as rainwater collection systems and solar panels illustrate a commitment to renewable energy use, ensuring resilience against the elements.

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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.

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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
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