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V-Shaped Arrival Zone with Stone Façade and Geothermal Efficiency

Authors:
Alexander Sárközi, Endre Jovan, Pál Blaubacher, Dávid Lipták
V-Shaped Arrival Zone with Stone Façade and Geothermal Efficiency

Project in-detail

The V-shaped arrival zone, constructed with a stone façade and energized by geothermal systems, serves as a functional coffee shop that enhances the hiking experience at Hverfjall, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
V-shaped arrival zone enhances visitor orientation.
02
Stone façade complements the natural landscape.
03
Geothermal energy system supports sustainability.
04
Central skylight maximizes natural light throughout.
05
Y-shaped layout separates staff and visitor functions.

The reCURVED Volcano Coffee Shop is situated near Hverfjall in Iceland, designed to blend with the curvature of the nearby hiking trail. The building serves both staff and visitors, offering a place to rest and enjoy refreshments while enhancing the outdoor experience. The design emphasizes functionality and interaction with the landscape, creating a balance between the built environment and nature.

Spatial Organization

The layout features a "Y"-shaped design that separates the structure into two sections: one for staff and the other for visitors. This arrangement facilitates clear movement throughout the space and integrates well with the surrounding paths. The division allows for efficient operations while providing a straightforward user experience.

Visually Engaging Interior

Entering the building, visitors find themselves in a spacious coffee shop area. The small entrance leads to a bright, open space, enhanced by a skylight that fills the interior with natural light. This design invites people to gather and socialize while enjoying views of the landscape outside. The furniture is arranged to maintain clear sightlines, ensuring that everyone can appreciate the surrounding beauty.

Structural Components

The main structure consists of a concrete wall with a stone façade facing south, forming a V-shaped area at the entrance. This solid wall creates a strong presence in the environment. In contrast, the steel frame provides a sense of lightness within the coffee shop. The combination of these materials enhances the feeling of openness, allowing natural light to permeate the space.

Geothermal Energy System

Energy efficiency is a core design principle, with the coffee shop utilizing geothermal energy from a ground source heat pump. This system provides heating and hot water while minimizing environmental impact. The positioning of air inlets and outlets promotes effective ventilation, ensuring comfort for everyone inside.

Multiple entrances are designed for ease of access: one for visitors, one for staff, and a pathway leading directly to the hiking trail. These entrances enhance the flow and function of the coffee shop, while also encouraging visitors to connect with the scenic landscape of Hverfjall. The experience within the building is enriched by the natural surroundings, inviting guests to engage with the beauty of the area.

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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

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