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Timber Huts on Tracks Embracing Iceland's Landscape

Authors:
Omid Kamvari, Masoud Saeedian, Faraneh Ghahremani
Timber Huts on Tracks Embracing Iceland's Landscape

Project in-detail

Movable timber huts constructed on tracks harmonize with Iceland's landscape, allowing guests to experience the Northern Lights while enjoying privacy and a connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Movable huts can shift along a track system, providing flexible arrangements and privacy options for guests.
02
The design incorporates laminated timber panels, enhancing structural strength and sustainability.
03
Roofs blend with the landscape, creating a natural continuity that minimizes visual disruption.
04
Ground source heat pumps provide efficient heating, supporting energy conservation throughout the year.
05
The project draws from traditional Icelandic vernacular, reinterpreting it in a modern context.

The project engages with the unique qualities of the Icelandic landscape, taking advantage of the captivating Northern Lights. Designed as a series of huts, it serves as a retreat for visitors while exploring the connection between built forms and the natural environment. The concept focuses on creating interactions where architecture extends into nature, reflecting the shapes of land and sky.

Site Organization

The layout employs a mix of centralized and decentralized designs. Huts are grouped around a central deck that connects to the main access road, providing a communal space. This arrangement makes it easy for guests to reach their accommodations and encourages social interaction. A notable feature is the movable huts that can travel along simple tracks. This allows for flexible setups, catering to personal preferences for privacy while maintaining a connection to shared areas.

Architectural Forms

The design draws from traditional Icelandic huts, capturing their essence while incorporating modern ideas. Roofs blend with the surrounding landscape, creating a natural flow between the two. This connection reduces visual disruption, and as plants grow, the structures increasingly blend into their environment. The result is a design that feels like a part of the landscape rather than something separate.

Sustainability and Materials

Natural ventilation is important in the design, enhancing comfort without relying heavily on mechanical systems. A ground source heat pump connected to underfloor heating demonstrates a focus on energy efficiency. The project uses timber laminated structures and timber panels, which are chosen for their strength and ease of prefabrication. These materials allow for efficient on-site assembly while respecting the ecological principles important in this setting.

The design fosters a deep relationship between people and the Icelandic landscape. Huts do more than just serve their purpose; they also capture the beauty of the region, inviting visitors to experience the shifting colors and forms of the Northern Lights from inside.

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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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