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Terraced Observation Spaces Integrated with Natural Cave Features

Author:
Michael Barnard
Terraced Observation Spaces Integrated with Natural Cave Features
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Terraced observatory spaces seamlessly integrate with natural cave formations, providing visitors with panoramic views and a unique connection to the surrounding landscape while serving as a visitor centre.
5 key facts about this project
01
Terraced design enhances visual access to the landscape.
02
Sun-path analysis optimizes natural light throughout the building.
03
The structure integrates with existing cave formations.
04
Panoramic observatory provides unique vantage points.
05
Charred wooden shingles contribute to weather resilience.

The Iceland Cave Tower Visitor Centre is located in a region rich with unique geological features. It serves as a destination for visitors who want to experience the natural beauty of Iceland. The overall design integrates the built environment with the landscape, creating a functional space that enhances the user experience and respects the surrounding ecology.

Design Concept

The design focuses on verticality, allowing the structure to have multiple levels that support different functions. This thoughtful arrangement encourages visitors to engage with the landscape and benefit from ample natural light. Careful consideration of sun-path analysis helps to optimize light exposure inside the building while providing comfort throughout various seasons.

Spatial Organization

The elevations of the visitor centre illustrate its connection to the landscape. The west and south elevations highlight how the structure interacts with the terrain, creating a visual link between the building and the natural features around it. Section drawings clarify how the design promotes efficient circulation, while also providing areas for visitors to pause and take in their surroundings.

Public Experience

Common areas, such as the cafe, are important elements of the design. Strategically placed within the visitor centre, the cafe encourages social gatherings and interactions among visitors, fostering a sense of community. The Bridge Observatory offers its own perspective, inviting occupants to enjoy expansive views of the breathtaking landscape.

Approaching the centre reveals a sequence of terraces that step down the site, allowing for natural transitions between building and terrain. Each terrace offers a unique viewpoint, celebrating the richness of the surrounding scenery and inviting visitors to connect with their environment.

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

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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.

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