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

Author:
Bjorn A J Hendriks
Sustainable Glass Facades and Local Stone Integrate Community Experience Nestled Within Iceland's Landscape

Project in-detail

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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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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