Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Volcanic Aggregate and Black Metal Venue in a Folklore Landscape

Authors:
Adin Rimland, Keshav Ramaswami
Volcanic Aggregate and Black Metal Venue in a Folklore Landscape
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed with volcanic aggregate, Muspellsheimr integrates a black metal music venue within the folklore-rich landscape of Dimmuborgir, serving as a multifunctional hub for cultural and spiritual engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with local volcanic aggregate to blend with the landscape.
02
Integrates both a music venue and a visitor center in one facility.
03
Design draws inspiration from Dimmuborgir folklore and cultural narratives.
04
Spatial arrangement encourages interaction between nature and community.
05
Energy-efficient features ensure sustainability in Iceland's climate.

Muspellsheimr is located in the geological formations of Dimmuborgir, Iceland. The site is rich in folklore, linking the earthly realm to the infernal. It serves two main purposes: a visitor center and a venue for black metal music performances. The design explores the relationship between nature tourism and spiritual experiences. It creates a sense of place that connects visitors with the landscape while honoring the cultural narratives of the area.

Space Organization

The spaces within Muspellsheimr are designed to improve how visitors interact with one another and the environment. Administrative areas, exhibition spaces, and informal gathering spots encourage exploration and engagement. The design leads visitors through different experiences, allowing them to connect with the story of Dimmuborgir more deeply.

Material Choices

Materials play an important role in the project. Precast concrete with volcanic aggregate connects the building to the local geological features. Embedded insulation ensures energy efficiency, adapting to the cool climate of Iceland. Suspended ceilings are included to enhance sound quality during musical performances while also providing a pleasing visual aspect within the space.

Cultural Engagement

Muspellsheimr is designed to engage visitors culturally and spiritually. It presents the folklore of Dimmuborgir alongside the modern influences of black metal music. The architecture supports different types of interaction, inviting guests to explore nature and the site’s mystical elements. This combination highlights the building's role as both a cultural and experiential landmark.

Aesthetic Integration

The design reflects a careful relationship between the built environment and its natural setting. The architectural elements are crafted to complement the landscape, ensuring that the structure feels like part of Dimmuborgir. Light and shadow dance across the surfaces, providing a visual experience that deepens the visitors' connection to the remarkable surroundings.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

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

Recurring architecture competitions

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
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 2 October 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 9 October 2025
new
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
Early bird registration deadline 15 October 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 16 October 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

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

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 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
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 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
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025

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