Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Weaved Brick Facade and Bronze Cladding Nestled in a Volcanic Landscape for a Visitor Center

Author:
Mahmoud Elmoussa
Weaved Brick Facade and Bronze Cladding Nestled in a Volcanic Landscape for a Visitor Center
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Set against a dramatic volcanic backdrop, the weaved brick facade and bronze cladding of the visitor center create a seamless connection to the landscape while providing essential amenities for hikers and tourists exploring the unique geological features of Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
The weaved brick facade reflects local craftsmanship while enhancing thermal performance.
02
Bronze cladding develops a natural patina, integrating the building with its environment over time.
03
The layout features a circular movement to simulate the experience of exploring lava flows.
04
Natural light is strategically incorporated to highlight the interior's volcanic texture elements.
05
Sustainable materials such as blackened wood contribute to passive heating strategies.

The architectural project "Roasted in Lava" is situated in a volcanic landscape near HVJERFAL volcano and Lake Myvatn in Iceland. The building serves as a visitor center, offering a space for hikers and tourists to engage with the surrounding geological features. The design emphasizes a connection between the architecture and its environment, reflecting the rich volcanic history of the area.

The building's layout facilitates a journey that enhances visitor experience, allowing for seamless movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. The architecture integrates both functional and aesthetic elements that resonate with the site’s natural characteristics. Predominantly circular in organization, the design invites users to explore the space progressively, starting from an entry point through to interactive and communal areas.

Material selection is a critical aspect of the project, with the facade constructed from weaved brick, symbolizing a connection to local craftsmanship and geological history. The use of bronze cladding for the roofing contributes a unique visual contrast and durability, while the incorporation of black burnt hardwood adds warmth and thermal efficiency. These materials not only fulfill structural requirements but also engage with the environmental context, reinforcing the project's location.

The primary function of "Roasted in Lava" includes dining areas with views of the surrounding landscape, exhibition spaces that educate visitors, and changing facilities for trekkers. The outdoor lounge extends the building's functionality into the natural setting, promoting interaction with the environment.

Sustainability is a foundational principle in this design. Awareness of the local climate influences thermal performance through passive heating solutions such as thermal mass due to the material choices. Moreover, the layout encourages social engagement and community involvement, enhancing the project's relevance to both visitors and locals.

The project stands out due to its strong thematic connection with its surroundings, integrating geology into its architecture. The spatial arrangement directs the visitor's journey through the building, emphasizing a narrative that aligns with the volcanic landscape. By focusing on unique materiality, the project represents both a functional facility and a sensory experience that deepens visitor interaction with Iceland's geological features.

For a comprehensive understanding of the architectural design aspects, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural ideas, further exploration of the project presentation is encouraged.

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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 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
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 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
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

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
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 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
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 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
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
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
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
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

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

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

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