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Transparent Glass Deck over Indoor Greenhouse Anchors Circular Restaurant in Volcanic Landscape

Authors:
Xiang Ye, Shitong Yu, Ryan Sun, Tory Wang
Transparent Glass Deck over Indoor Greenhouse Anchors Circular Restaurant in Volcanic Landscape

Project in-detail

The circular design integrates a transparent glass deck above an indoor greenhouse, allowing natural light to illuminate the restaurant while connecting diners to the surrounding volcanic landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Circular layout promotes panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
02
Transparent glass deck enhances natural lighting throughout the interior.
03
Indoor greenhouse creates a unique atmospheric experience for diners.
04
Reinforced concrete provides structural stability in volcanic terrain.
05
Steel trusses allow for an open and flexible dining space.

Littorina is located on a volcanic hill in Iceland, designed to connect with its stunning natural surroundings. The building serves as a restaurant, offering visitors views of a nearby lake and a peninsula-shaped hill. The design revolves around a circular shape that highlights the relationship between the structure and the landscape, promoting an easy flow between indoors and outdoors.

Structural Design

The building features a reinforced concrete system, providing a strong foundation that supports its overall structure. Above this, a thin roof made entirely of steel trusses enhances the building’s stability while allowing for an open and flexible interior space. This combination of materials reflects contemporary construction methods while ensuring durability.

Interior Organization

Inside, the first floor includes key functional areas such as a main electromechanical storage space and an indoor rural area. The layout is designed around a central dining area, which invites interaction among guests. Surrounding this space are the entrance foyer, guest reception, and lobby facilities, all arranged to make circulation simple and intuitive. The design encourages a communal environment where patrons can feel comfortable.

Connection to Environment

A notable feature of Littorina is the large glass deck that allows light to enter the space while keeping it protected from direct sunlight. Below this deck, indoor greenhouse plants provide a soft, ambient glow that brightens the interior. The design effectively ties the indoor experience to the outdoor environment, creating a space that feels open and connected to the exceptional Icelandic landscape. This thoughtful integration makes the restaurant an inviting place to enjoy the beauty of nature.

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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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