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Translucent Facade and Lava Trail Cladding in a Cultural Cinema Pavilion

Author:
Benjamin Gontkovic
Translucent Facade and Lava Trail Cladding in a Cultural Cinema Pavilion

Project in-detail

With a design that incorporates a translucent facade and lava trail cladding, the pavilion serves as a cultural facility for cinema while engaging visitors with the dramatic landscape of Lake Myvatn and the Hverfjall crater.
5 key facts about this project
01
The structure resembles a projector, visually linking cinema with the landscape.
02
The pavilion features a translucent facade to enhance natural light and thermal efficiency.
03
Lava trail cladding provides both aesthetic appeal and acoustic insulation.
04
Interactive installations represent Iceland's natural elements of fire and ice.
05
Exhibition areas offer engaging experiences beyond traditional film screenings.

The Projector is located near Lake Myvatn and the Grjótagjá caves. It is designed to serve as a cultural facility for cinema while maintaining a close relationship with its natural surroundings. The building's form resembles a projector, which visually connects cinema to the Icelandic landscape and reinforces the concept of storytelling through imagery.

Site Planning and Orientation

The design includes a parking lot situated on the north side, intentionally separated from the main structure by original stones found on the site. This choice preserves the area's natural character and directs attention to the pavilion itself. The entrance is carefully oriented to take advantage of views of the Krafla volcano, creating an inviting experience for visitors.

Building Structure and Ecology

The building features a circular shape that promotes ecological efficiency. This design reduces the structure's environmental impact while enhancing the visitor experience. Natural light floods the interior through a translucent facade, which also helps with passive heating. The cinema hall is constructed with reinforced concrete, ensuring stability and effective temperature control, allowing for a comfortable setting throughout the year.

Exhibition and Cinema Spaces

In addition to the main cinema, the design incorporates exhibition areas that encourage various uses beyond film screenings. These spaces provide direct views of Hverfjall crater and include options for short film presentations in a smaller format. An experience corridor, decorated with thematic props, creates an immersive environment that evokes cave-like sensations, stimulating engagement with the natural elements around it.

Unique Design Elements

The Projector also features interactive installations, including mini pavilions that represent fire and ice. These installations give visitors the chance to engage more deeply with the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the cinema hall includes wall cladding that mimics lava trails. This design choice not only adds visual interest but also aids with acoustics, fitting well within the overall concept of the pavilion and the natural beauty of Iceland.

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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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