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Zigzag Form Combined With White Steel and Warm Wood Creates A Versatile Ski Retreat in Iceland

Authors:
MikoŁaj Maciej PrÓchniak, Tobiasz BŁach, Jakub Radlicki
Zigzag Form Combined With White Steel and Warm Wood Creates A Versatile Ski Retreat in Iceland

Project in-detail

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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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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