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Volcanic Façade Enhances Community Space Through Thoughtful Zoning

Author:
Konstantina Maragkopoulou
Volcanic Façade Enhances Community Space Through Thoughtful Zoning

Project in-detail

Inspired by the surrounding volcanic landscape, the new coffee shop utilizes a carefully crafted façade that establishes a visual dialogue with its environment while providing a communal space for social interaction and cultural engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inspired by Iceland's volcanic landscapes, the design employs a façade that harmonizes with its environment.
02
The coffee shop features a bent A-frame structure that enhances spatial dynamics and user experience.
03
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and durability suitable for local weather conditions.
04
An exhibition hall is integrated to foster cultural engagement and community events.
05
Large windows strategically placed maximize natural light and create a connection to the outdoors.

The project integrates an existing building with a newly constructed coffee shop, set against the unique backdrop of Iceland's volcanic landscape. The design concept highlights the relationship between the old and new, creating a dialogue that enhances both functionality and visual appeal. The layout emphasizes community engagement, providing spaces for social interaction and cultural activities.

Functional Layout

The ground floor showcases key features like a café, bar/kitchen, exhibition hall, office, storage, and restrooms. This thoughtful arrangement prioritizes accessibility and encourages movement throughout the space. The café and bar/kitchen are central areas designed for socializing, while the exhibition hall promotes cultural engagement, linking the building to the community.

Vertical Integration

The first floor mirrors the ground floor's layout, ensuring consistency in function and feel. This repetition of key spaces further supports a welcoming atmosphere, allowing multiple activities to occur at once. The design thoughtfully addresses user experience, making it easy and intuitive for visitors to navigate the building.

Façade and Aesthetic

The east elevation of the coffee shop draws inspiration from the surrounding volcanic terrain. This connection to the environment is reflected in the building's appearance, creating a visual harmony with the landscape. The thoughtful arrangement of forms and openings in the façade adds character while remaining sensitive to its context, allowing it to fit into the surrounding area.

Spatial Relationships

An exploded isometric projection illustrates how different areas interact within the design. This perspective makes clear the relationships between spaces and how they encourage flow and connectivity. The layout is carefully considered to enhance user experience, making the building more functional and inviting.

Large windows in the café allow natural light to flood the interior, creating a warm atmosphere. This design choice not only enhances the overall experience but also encourages a connection between the indoor and outdoor environments. The careful attention to these details underscores the project's commitment to creating a welcoming space for everyone.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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