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Volcanic Stone and Glass Retreat Designed for Northern Lights Experience

Author:
Ana Carolina Maia Santos
Volcanic Stone and Glass Retreat Designed for Northern Lights Experience

Project in-detail

Constructed with volcanic stone and expansive glass walls, the facility offers a direct experience of the northern lights while providing a spa, beer station, and coffee shop for relaxation and social interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed primarily from local volcanic stone, enhancing sustainability and regional relevance.
02
Large glass panels provide unobstructed viewing of northern lights, integrating nature into the experience.
03
The design incorporates solar panels for energy efficiency, promoting environmental responsibility.
04
Multiple terraces offer diverse outdoor engagement and panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
05
Features a wellness-focused layout, combining a spa, beer station, and coffee shop for relaxation and social interaction.

Bjór-Bað is an architectural project situated in the scenic Myvatn region of Iceland, designed as a multifaceted facility that encompasses a beer station, coffee shop, and spa. The structure prioritizes a strong connection to its natural surroundings, allowing for an immersive experience that highlights the unique Icelandic landscape. The building's layout and functional organization have been carefully crafted to optimize visitor interaction with both the amenities offered and the breathtaking environment, particularly the northern lights.

The design approach emphasizes transparency and fluidity, utilizing large glass panels to create visual continuity between interior spaces and the exterior landscape. Additionally, the use of local materials such as volcanic stone and wood helps position the structure within its geographical context, reinforcing a sense of place and cultural relevance. Bjór-Bað represents a blend of leisure and wellness, presenting a space where relaxation and social interaction can thrive amid Iceland's iconic scenery.

Material Choices and Sustainability

Bjór-Bað employs volcanic stone, wood, glass, plaster, and solar panels, each chosen for its aesthetic and functional properties. The volcanic stone anchors the design, reflecting Iceland's geological features, while wood introduces warmth and comfort within the interior environments. The expansive glass surfaces allow natural light to permeate, fostering engagement with the striking views outside.

The project incorporates solar panels to enhance energy efficiency and supports sustainable practices. This commitment to ecological considerations not only contributes to the building's operational sustainability but also aligns with contemporary architectural trends that prioritize environmental responsibility.

Innovative Spatial Organization

The spatial organization of Bjór-Bað is deliberate in fostering connectivity and engagement among its various functions. The entrance serves as a focal point, leading visitors into a well-structured layout that includes the beer station, coffee shop, and spa facilities. Each space is designed to promote interaction, whether through communal settings at the beer station or secluded areas within the spa.

The terraces integrated into the design offer visitors unobstructed views of the landscape, enhancing the experience of the northern lights while creating opportunities for outdoor leisure activities. This multi-tiered approach not only diversifies visitor interactions but also reinforces a dialogue between the building and its environment.

Explore the architectural plans and sections of Bjór-Bað to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the design and how it effectively integrates form, function, and sustainability within the Icelandic landscape. Examine the architectural designs and ideas that shape this distinctive project, contributing to its unique identity in contemporary architecture.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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