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Tilted Cabins Crafted From Natural Wood and Concrete Offering Uninterrupted Views of the Northern Sky

Author:
Nathalie Groot kormelink
Tilted Cabins Crafted From Natural Wood and Concrete Offering Uninterrupted Views of the Northern Sky

Project in-detail

Tilted cabins, constructed with a combination of timber and concrete, provide expansive views of the Northern sky, creating a unique residential experience that emphasizes stargazing and community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tilted design optimizes celestial views for stargazing.
02
Combination of cross-laminated timber and concrete enhances structural integrity.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide natural weather resistance and aesthetic appeal.
04
Flexible interior layouts accommodate varied guest needs and functions.
05
Dedicated outdoor viewing decks promote engagement with the surrounding landscape.

## Project Overview
Located in an expansive Icelandic landscape, the cabin design emphasizes a connection between its occupants and the natural environment, particularly the night sky. The intent is to create functional living spaces that enhance the experience of stargazing and aurora viewing. The cabins' orientation and structural form are central to this vision, allowing for unique spatial interactions while addressing environmental considerations.

## Architectural Form and Spatial Orientation
The design incorporates a slight tilt in each cabin, which serves to optimize views of the celestial surroundings. This angularity not only influences the structures' silhouettes but also aligns with the project’s overarching theme of aiming skyward. Each cabin features large windows oriented towards the Northern sky, ensuring panoramic views of the auroras. The varying sizes of cabins accommodate small to medium-sized groups, providing flexibility in layout while maintaining a consistent external appearance.

## Material Choices and Environmental Integration
Sustainable construction materials play a crucial role in the project’s design ethos. Timber frame construction ensures a breathable façade, promoting a healthy internal climate while harmonizing with the natural aesthetics of the landscape. Natural wood insulation enhances energy efficiency and minimizes humidity, while concrete blocks provide stability and reduce soil damage. Extensive use of glass for large windows allows natural light to penetrate the interiors, fostering a connection to the exterior while minimizing heat gain.

The landscape strategy reflects a commitment to ecological balance by minimizing the footprint of construction and integrating native plant species to enhance privacy and promote local biodiversity. Additionally, thoughtfully designed waste management systems underscore the project's sustainability principles.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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