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Transparent Glass Facade Enhancing Community Engagement in a Sustainable Timber Brewery

Author:
Piergiorgio Angius
Transparent Glass Facade Enhancing Community Engagement in a Sustainable Timber Brewery

Project in-detail

A transparent glass facade combined with natural timber elements establishes a cohesive architectural narrative that fosters community interaction within a sustainably designed brewery.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates a sloped roof that mirrors the surrounding landforms.
02
Transparent glass walls create an immersive connection with the natural environment.
03
Modular construction allows for flexible space use and future adaptability.
04
Charred wooden shingles enhance durability while reducing maintenance needs.
05
The facility is positioned to maximize views of the northern lights.

### Project Overview

Located in the Myvatn region of northern Iceland, the design integrates itself within a landscape renowned for its geological features, including geothermal activity and diverse ecosystems. The structure aims to connect the local brewery with its natural surroundings while promoting community engagement and tourism. By harmonizing with the site’s unique characteristics, the design enhances the relationship between the built environment and the indigenous landscape.

### Materiality and Structural Configuration

The primary façade utilizes transparent glass panels, allowing for expansive views and natural daylight while embodying the concept of transparency. This choice is complemented by the use of concrete for structural support and flooring, providing durability and grounding the project in its environment. Internal wooden elements introduce warmth and comfort, particularly in communal areas, while metal components serve functional roles and enhance aesthetic dynamics. The sloping roof forms echo natural topographies, contributing both to visual appeal and effective management of seasonal weather conditions. Modularity in construction facilitates flexible spatial arrangements, optimizing functionality throughout the facility.

### Spatial Arrangement and Community Engagement

The layout is meticulously structured to include distinct zones such as a brewing section, tasting room, and relaxation spaces, each designed to offer varied perspectives of the surrounding landscape. The rooftop terrace creates an additional outdoor experience, allowing visitors to engage with the environment while providing vantage points for natural phenomena, such as the northern lights. Designed as a community hub, the facility encourages social interaction through shared spaces that foster discussions on brewing and local culture, effectively enriching the cultural context of the Myvatn area. Sustainability is a core consideration in material selection and design strategy, with a commitment to reducing energy consumption through natural light and ventilation.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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