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Sustainable Glass Facades and Local Stone Integrate Community Experience Nestled Within Iceland's Landscape

Sustainable Glass Facades and Local Stone Integrate Community Experience Nestled Within Iceland's Landscape
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With a design that seamlessly integrates transparent facades and local stone into its circular form, the facility enhances visitor engagement with panoramic views while providing essential amenities along Iceland's Diamond Circle.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes local stone for facade elements to blend with the surrounding landscape.
02
Incorporates biophilic design principles, connecting interior spaces with nature.
03
Features a unique circular layout to enhance visitor flow and interaction.
04
Includes thermal baths that utilize geothermal heating from the local environment.
05
Provides an observation deck with 360-degree views of the Icelandic terrain.

### Architectural Design Analysis: The Beacon - Leiðar­ljósið

#### Overview
Leiðar­ljósið, located along Iceland's Diamond Circle, serves as a significant architectural landmark and a destination for travelers. Emphasizing its geographical importance, the design facilitates engagement with the surrounding natural environment while reflecting local cultural characteristics. The structure functions as both a visitor center and an experiential space, effectively integrating with the scenic backdrop of the Icelandic landscape.

#### Spatial Organization
The Beacon is organized across five distinct floors, each dedicated to specific visitor experiences. The ground floor houses a brewery and souvenir shop, which invites initial engagement with the brewing process. Above this, the first floor features a café with views of the craters, designed to provide a relaxing atmosphere. The second floor presents a spa and garden, merging wellness and nature, while the third floor offers immersive experiences related to brewing techniques within sauna settings. The highest floor culminates in an observation deck, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and sky.

#### Material Expression
The building's material selection is contextually driven and strikingly modern. Large glass facades dominate the design, ensuring unobstructed views of the landscape while promoting transparency. Structural elements of concrete guarantee durability against Iceland’s harsh climate, complemented by locally sourced stone that mirrors the region’s rugged scenery. The inclusion of greenery enhances biophilic connections, while warm wooden elements within the interiors add comfort and warmth to the user experience. Each material not only serves functional purposes but also contributes to the overall aesthetic cohesion of the Beacon.

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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