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Triangular Guest Rooms Embracing Natural Ventilation with Aluminum Cladding in Icelandic Landscape

Authors:
Natalia Wilczak-kucińska, Marek Kuciński, Małgorzata Wiśniewska
Triangular Guest Rooms Embracing Natural Ventilation with Aluminum Cladding in Icelandic Landscape
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Composed of insulated triangular units with aluminum cladding that integrate seamlessly into the Icelandic landscape, these guest rooms provide a unique vantage point for experiencing the northern lights while ensuring comfort and sustainability.
5 key facts about this project
01
Insulated triangular units enhance both energy efficiency and architectural form.
02
Aluminum cladding provides durability while reflecting the surrounding landscape.
03
Each room is prefabricated off-site to minimize environmental impact during construction.
04
The bent A-frame design facilitates optimal ventilation and snow runoff.
05
Large glass windows frame views specifically for northern lights observation.

## Architectural Analysis Report: Iceland Northern Lights Rooms

### Project Overview
Located in Iceland’s striking landscape, the Iceland Northern Lights Rooms project is designed to enhance opportunities for observing the northern lights through a series of movable, detached guest bedrooms. The layout integrates the structures into the natural environment, enabling an immersive experience that balances comfort with functionality, while being mindful of the surrounding ecosystem.

### Spatial Strategy and Site Configuration
The site plan features a well-considered arrangement of six guest room units on sloping terrain adjacent to a body of water. The triangular forms of the buildings echo the geometric patterns in nature and provide visual interest. The configurations, comprising both single and double rooms, are strategically placed to optimize views of the auroras while ensuring privacy and minimizing visual impact from one unit to another.

Each unit is oriented to facilitate unobstructed views of the night sky, allowing guests to observe the natural phenomenon from their beds. The site layout is delineated by a carefully defined boundary, ensuring minimal disruption to the local habitat and leveraging the natural topography.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration
The architectural design draws inspiration from traditional Icelandic forms, integrating modern elements that are suited to the local climate. The use of modular construction enables prefabricated units to be efficiently assembled on-site. Key features include:

- **Roof Structure**: Designed with an apex for natural ventilation, enhancing thermal comfort in varying weather conditions.
- **Cladding Materials**: A combination of high-performance insulating materials and reflective metals (aluminum and steel) offers durability against the harsh climate while contributing to the overall aesthetic coherence with the environment.

Internally, the minimalist design prioritizes function, with spaces thoughtfully organized for optimal use. Features include strategically placed living areas and efficient bathroom facilities that maximize usability while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

### Technological Innovations and User Engagement
This project incorporates advanced design principles that promote energy efficiency and adaptability. The integration of insulation techniques with solar design ensures reduced energy consumption. The modular nature of the units allows for flexibility in relocation as conditions dictate, enhancing their resilience against the unpredictable Icelandic weather.

The architectural form allows for unobtrusive engagement with nature, with expansive glass walls that frame breathtaking views of the aurora borealis. This design approach not only amplifies the visual connection to the landscape but also fosters a dynamic interplay between indoor lighting and the outside environment, enriching the overall guest experience.

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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
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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