Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Transportable Dome Structures Crafted from Glass and Metal for Immersive Northern Lights Experiences

Authors:
Marta Cygan, Katarzyna Buchholz
Transportable Dome Structures Crafted from Glass and Metal for Immersive Northern Lights Experiences
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Transparent dome structures crafted from glass and metal provide portable accommodations designed for optimal viewing of the Northern Lights, seamlessly integrating comfort and nature for an immersive guest experience.
5 key facts about this project
01
Transparent dome design allows for uninterrupted views of the Northern Lights.
02
Mobility feature enables easy relocation of guesthouses based on seasonal demand.
03
Constructed primarily from glass and metal for optimal natural light and durability.
04
Modular approach permits efficient manufacturing and assembly.
05
Integrated communal spaces foster social interaction among guests.

## Project Overview

Located in the scenic and rugged landscapes of Iceland, the Iceland Northern Lights Rooms project aims to provide distinctive accommodations that enhance the experience of observing the Northern Lights. The design prioritizes sustainability and a deep engagement with the surrounding environment, aligning architectural intent with the natural beauty of the region.

## Guesthouse Design

The guesthouses are transportable units characterized by their dome shape, utilizing a metal framework with extensive glass surfaces. This choice of material is crucial for maximizing visibility of the night sky, allowing guests unobstructed views of the Northern Lights. Each unit features a strategic layout that maintains privacy by placing bedrooms on separate levels while ensuring comfort. The mobility of these domes allows for seasonal adaptability, enabling the structures to be relocated as needed, thus minimizing their ecological footprint.

### Main Building Functionality

The main building serves as a central hub for communal activities, incorporating various spaces such as a restaurant, reception area, and private lounges. This multifunctional design facilitates guest interaction while maintaining an efficient flow throughout the space. The architectural aesthetics include a roof adorned with glass triangle panels that not only mirror the guesthouses but also enhance the building's illumination through natural light. Expansive windows provide panoramic views of Iceland’s natural scenery, strengthening the connection between indoor and outdoor environments.

## Site Integration and Landscape

The orientation of both the guesthouses and the main building is meticulously planned to optimize views of the Northern Lights. Landscaping complements the structures, emphasizing the area's natural beauty while minimizing disruption to the existing environment. This thoughtful integration promotes an immersive experience, inviting occupants to engage with the spectacular Icelandic landscape while enjoying their stay.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #8 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 25 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy