Rammed earth walls rise from the landscape, framing panoramic views of Myvatn Lake and Hverfjall Volcano while providing a community-focused visitors center for environmental education and cultural engagement.
Eva Schwaerzler,Sara maria Camagni,Carlheinz christoph Von geyso,Georg hermann Erharter
Rising from Iceland's tectonic rift, the dual towers constructed of natural stone and reinforced concrete serve as both an educational center and an observation point, harmonizing with the dramatic landscape to foster a deeper understanding of the region's geology.
Two distinct towers of COR-TEN steel rise above the Icelandic landscape, offering indoor observation platforms that engage visitors with the geological narrative of tectonic plates while providing essential facilities for public use.
Crafted with volcanic facades and a light-filled atrium, the design harmonizes with the Icelandic landscape while providing a multifunctional space for visitors to explore the Grjotagja caves and observe natural phenomena.
Two gabled towers rise to symbolize the tectonic rift in Iceland, framed by local black metal and natural slate, serving as a visitor center that invites exploration of the surrounding geological landscape.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the continental crack, reinforced concrete structures integrate seamlessly with the geological features of Kvennagjá Cave, providing visitors with access to thermal baths and observation points that enhance engagement with the unique landscape.
An observation platform complemented by a black stone brick facade captures the essence of tectonic plates, offering visitors an educational experience focused on the geological significance of Iceland's rifts.
Emerging from the rift of tectonic plates, a tower constructed with steel columns seamlessly integrates into Iceland's dramatic landscape, providing essential services for visitors to explore the region's geothermal features.
A kinetic glass chasm, embedded within a grass-roofed structure reflecting the rift between tectonic plates, serves as a dynamic venue for celebrating Icelandic cinema while harmonizing with the surrounding landscape.
Constructed from basaltic rock, the Cave Tower harmonizes with the tectonic landscape of Iceland while integrating greenhouses to promote sustainable agriculture for visitor engagement.
Set against the backdrop of Iceland's tectonic landscape, a timber structure, utilizing yakisugi for durability, elegantly connects two divergent continental plates while providing a sustainable space for visitor engagement and exploration.
Two towering observatories crafted from glass and rock rise above the Krafla rift, offering visitors a unique vantage point to experience and engage with Iceland's dynamic geological landscape while providing essential recreational facilities.
Constructed with natural rock and concrete, the walkway elegantly traverses the "Gjá" rift, providing an immersive experience of Iceland's tectonic features while minimizing environmental impact.
A large wooden blade of burnt wood binds the two sides of a fault line, incorporating translucent spaces and observation platforms that enhance visitors' understanding of the geological landscape while serving as a visitor center.
Sergio Hernández martos,Ignacio Montes montero,María de la luz Frías piñero
Built with recycled wood and topped with green roofs, the structure seamlessly blends into Iceland’s rift landscape while serving as a hub for visitors exploring the nearby thermal caves.
Constructed with a diamond-shaped form and diacritical glass, this geothermal pavilion utilizes recycled rubber for its base, creating a sustainable and engaging community hub that offers panoramic views of Iceland's unique landscape.
Weathering steel arches interact dynamically with shifting tectonic plates at Grjótagjá, creating a resilient structure that serves as a bridge between natural forces and human experience.
The steel exoskeleton of the watchtower combines with robust concrete to frame panoramic views of the rift landscape, creating an educational space that invites exploration and understanding of unique geological features in northeastern Iceland.
Maciej Szczepanski,Weronika Piotrowska,Kinga Szymczyk,Agnieszka Laska
Incorporating negative space through a striking rift-inspired design, the structure utilizes reinforced concrete to create immersive environments that facilitate cinematic experiences and northern lights observation.
Set atop a tectonic rift, a wooden landmark with a green roof invites visitors to explore the unique geological landscape while providing a multipurpose space for education and relaxation.
Constructed with modular cross-laminated timber panels and green roof systems, the design establishes a contemporary urban hub that supports intergenerational living and promotes social cohesion.
Repurposed oil rigs form the foundation for a resilient water-based community, integrating fish farms and urban agriculture to create a sustainable habitat for future residents.
Valeria Baeza
Mario Arancibia
Felipe Gonzalez
Tomas Zelada
The project is a wellness retreat that brings together yoga, meditation, and communal living through an architecture focused on minimal environmental impact. Using ecologically responsible materials and passive design strategies, it fosters a balanced relationship between daily life and the surrounding natural landscape.
Positioned between the Baltic Sea and the Jaunupes River, the Pilgrimage Yoga House is a multifunctional space designed for yoga, meditation, and communal gathering. The project combines sustainable construction with a strong sensitivity to its landscape and users, offering a setting that supports both individual reflection and shared experience.
The project addresses the complexities of urban density while fostering social engagement and pedestrian accessibility by integrating flexible office spaces with vibrant communal areas. The design not only enhances functionality within a constrained urban footprint but also strengthens connections between disparate elements of the city’s fabric.
This study examines a multi-volume building designed to connect users with the forest landscape while accommodating communal and educational functions. Architectural strategies in these contexts can balance visual distinction with environmental sensitivity, providing spaces for learning and observation.
With a design that utilizes stacked roofs to create unobstructed jungle views, this wooden retreat fosters a close connection to nature while providing essential shelter and spaces for relaxation and meditation.
Use architecture to create different emotional states
Edition #9ideas COMPETITIONSILENT 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
Advance registration deadline 12 November 2026
Open architecture competitions
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Ideas competitions
Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
Use architecture to create different emotional states
Edition #9ideas COMPETITIONSILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Only participants selected and invited by Buildner can enter these closed competitions. To be considered for future opportunities, please set up your account on Architects' Network Plus.