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Weathered Steel Lookout Cantilevered Over Volcanic Crater

Author:
Tayla Clarke
Weathered Steel Lookout Cantilevered Over Volcanic Crater

Project in-detail

Cantilevered over a volcanic crater, the lookout uses weathered steel to create a harmonious connection with its Icelandic landscape while providing a space for visitors to engage with the stunning surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Cantilevered design allows for unobstructed views of the volcanic landscape.
02
Weathered steel facade develops a unique patina that reflects the environment.
03
Seating areas encourage visitor interaction and prolonged engagement with the site.
04
Lightweight construction minimizes impact on the fragile landscape.
05
Pinned foundation allows for natural erosion processes to continue unhindered.

The Hverfjall Scenic Lookout is an architectural intervention situated in the dramatic volcanic landscape of Iceland. It is designed to enhance visitor engagement with the environment. The purpose of the lookout is to provide an immersive experience as individuals walk along the crater’s rim, allowing them to appreciate the geological features of Hverfjall. The overall concept focuses on creating a connection between the structure and its natural surroundings.

Design Journey

Visitors begin their experience along the crater's rim and soon encounter a folded break that guides them toward an ascending stairway. This careful design leads to seating areas where individuals can pause and take in the views, encouraging them to slow down and enjoy the landscape before proceeding along their journey.

Elevated Experience

Once at the top of the stairs, visitors reach an elevated platform that extends over the crater’s edge. This design amplifies the feeling of altitude and offers wide-ranging views of the surrounding area. The platform is a central feature that invites guests to stop and appreciate the scenery. Each viewpoint along the platform reveals different aspects of the landscape, enriching the overall experience.

Materiality and Contextual Integration

The façade of the lookout is made from weathered steel, a material that reflects the colors of the Icelandic landscape. Over time, this material develops a patina, which connects the structure visually to its surroundings. Using weathered steel helps blend the lookout into the geological site, allowing it to coexist with the natural features of Hverfjall.

Sustainable Construction Practices

The construction method emphasizes the use of lightweight materials, which reduces any negative impact on the environment. Instead of being embedded in the ground, the structure is pinned to the landscape. This approach decreases the risks of erosion and gravel displacement, allowing natural processes to continue while preserving the landscape’s integrity.

As visitors stand on the lookout, the changing light plays across the weathered steel, highlighting the textures and colors. This interaction adds a dynamic element to the experience, making each visit uniquely tied to the shifting beauty of the landscape.

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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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