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Zigzag Form Combined with White Steel and Warm Wood Creates a Versatile Ski Retreat in Iceland

Zigzag Form Combined with White Steel and Warm Wood Creates a Versatile Ski Retreat in Iceland
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A zigzag structure clad in white steel and warm wood offers a functional retreat that harmonizes with the Icelandic landscape, providing an inviting base for winter sports enthusiasts.
5 key facts about this project
01
Zigzag form inspired by the surrounding Icelandic terrain.
02
Combination of white steel and warm wood for aesthetic contrast.
03
Terraced decks provide outdoor engagement with the landscape.
04
Large windows strategically frame scenic views while enhancing natural light.
05
Open-plan layout balances communal and private spaces effectively.

## Overview

The Jökull Ski Cabin is situated in Mývatn, Iceland, designed to serve as a retreat that emphasizes both functionality and comfort for users engaged in skiing and outdoor pursuits. The project integrates architectural design with its natural context, responding to the surrounding wilderness while prioritizing a user-friendly environment. The cabin aims to provide a tranquil space that complements the dramatic Icelandic landscape.

## Spatial Strategy

The layout of the Jökull Ski Cabin is characterized by a thoughtful arrangement of private and communal spaces, designed to enhance user experience. Private zones allow for moments of solitude while remaining accessible to communal areas that encourage interaction among guests. The design also optimizes circulation, creating clear paths that facilitate movement without hindering the sense of privacy within the cabin.

## Materiality and Environmental Integration

The façade features a juxtaposition of white steel and warm wood, creating a visual harmony with the surrounding environment. The use of white steel offers a contemporary aesthetic that reflects the snowy landscape, while wood introduces warmth into the interior spaces. Large windows strategically positioned throughout the cabin maximize natural light and frame scenic views, fostering an intimate connection to the outdoors. Additionally, these design choices are complemented by robust insulation materials that enhance the cabin’s durability against Iceland's harsh climate, reinforcing the building's functional integrity.

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

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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.

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Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
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Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

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