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Transparent Cubes Framing Nature's Panorama with Steel and Glass

Authors:
Fatou Niang, Giorgia Venditti, Maria Teresa Galli
Transparent Cubes Framing Nature's Panorama with Steel and Glass
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Floating glass cubes supported by a robust steel frame create an elevated platform for panoramic views, offering visitors a unique observation experience immersed in the surrounding Icelandic landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating observation cabins extend outward, enhancing the sense of immersion with nature.
02
The tower incorporates a central elevator for easy access between the observation floors.
03
LED lighting features illuminate the structure, enhancing visibility during nighttime.
04
The design promotes a carefully planned visitor route for optimal landscape engagement.
05
Steel and glass materials create a modern aesthetic while ensuring structural integrity.

The Hrafn Tower is located near the Grjotàgjà cave and the Euro-Asian continental fault. This structure connects with the surrounding natural landscape while serving an important function as an observation platform. The design concept revolves around transparency and accessibility, making it a space for visitors to engage with the expansive views that the location offers.

Design Concept

The tower is characterized by its light and airy appearance. It consists of a series of glass cubes framed by steel, allowing an open visual connection to the environment. The overall design includes five levels, with the ground and first floors dedicated to services. The upper three levels are specifically for observation, giving visitors the chance to experience the area from different perspectives.

Spatial Arrangement

Each of the observation floors features outward-projecting cabins. These cabins create a sensation of floating over the landscape, enhancing the ability for visitors to immerse themselves in their surroundings. An external staircase and a central elevator allow for easy movement throughout the structure, encouraging exploration on every level.

Materiality

The choice of materials plays a significant role in both the appearance and function of the tower. Steel makes up the main structural framework, providing stability and strength. Reinforced cement concrete is used for the core structure, while glass dominates the facade. This use of glass not only lets in natural light but also provides uninterrupted views, bridging the indoor and outdoor experiences.

Lighting Integration

Lighting is carefully integrated into the design to enhance the visitor experience. At the top of the tower, a circular LED feature connects the building to the night sky. LED strips around the observation cabins illuminate them, emphasizing the lightness of the glass cubes as evening falls.

The thoughtful arrangement of spaces, combined with strategic material selections, ensures that the Hrafn Tower serves as both a landmark and a place for contemplation. Visitors can enjoy the scenery while reflecting on their connection to the landscape around them.

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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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