Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

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

Project in-detail

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.

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

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
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