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Timber-Crafted Haven with Expansive Views and Communal Spaces

Author:
Nicholas Horvath
Timber-Crafted Haven with Expansive Views and Communal Spaces

Project in-detail

Constructed with cross-laminated timber, the guest house offers expansive views and communal spaces that enhance the experience of the Icelandic landscape while providing a welcoming retreat for visitors.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with cross-laminated timber for sustainability.
02
Features large apertures for unobstructed landscape views.
03
Includes communal spaces designed to enhance guest interaction.
04
The low-profile design mimics local geological formations.
05
Incorporates skylights for abundant natural light and connection to the sky.

The Guest House at Vogafjos Farm Resort is located in the picturesque Icelandic landscape, designed to allow visitors to fully engage with the natural surroundings. The building functions as a retreat for those seeking both comfort and connection with nature. The design concept highlights a strong interaction with the environment, offering an inviting space where guests can relax and socialize.

Materiality and Structure

The structure primarily consists of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. This choice of material reflects a focus on sustainability along with an efficient construction process. CLT is lightweight yet strong, making it suitable for the building's needs. The wooden interior brings a warm and inviting feel, enhancing the connection between the indoor spaces and the landscape outside.

Exterior Aesthetics

The low-profile design resembles stone, creating harmony with the surrounding geology. This exterior helps the building blend into its natural setting and speaks to the character of the area. The roof features a subtle pitch, which allows for large windows in the guest rooms, offering beautiful views of the landscape and sky, enhancing the sense of place.

Spatial Configuration

Inside, the layout emphasizes communal areas that encourage guest interaction. These shared spaces, along with a comfortably positioned hot tub, foster a sense of community during stays. Natural light floods the interior through strategically placed windows, creating a bright and cheerful atmosphere that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.

A notable detail is the presence of skylights throughout the building. These features not only allow for ample sunlight but also connect guests with the expansive Icelandic sky above. This thoughtful design element contributes to a peaceful environment, inviting visitors to enjoy the serenity of their natural surroundings.

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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

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