Competition
Iceland's raw, untamed beauty presents a canvas like no other—a place where the snow whispers stories of old and the Northern Lights dance overhead. The "Iceland Ski Snow Cabin" competition, organized by Buildner, invites architects and designers to contribute to this magnificent landscape by creating a haven for the skiing community. This contest is not just about building a structure; it's about crafting an experience that embodies the spirit of Icelandic winters.
Iceland's striking geography is characterized by its varied and extraordinary landscapes. As a volcanically and geologically active island, Iceland spans 103,000 km2, with 62.7% of it being tundra. Its coastline features numerous fjords, which host the majority of the country's settlements. Iceland's interior, a blend of sand and lava fields, mountains, and glaciers, is inhospitable, and glacial rivers flow to the sea through the lowlands on the island's exterior.
The Mývatn region, located in the north of Iceland, boasts some of the country's most breathtaking natural wonders.
The Krafla caldera, a monumental testament to Iceland's raw geothermal power, stands majestically in the Mývatn region. This seismic marvel is not just a scenic wonder but also an emblem of the island’s vibrant volcanic activity. Krafla’s caldera, the result of centuries of eruptions, spans approximately 10 kilometers and is part of a larger volcanic system that includes a striking lava field and the renowned Víti explosion crater, filled with a strikingly blue geothermal lake.
The competition site is a scenic spot just northeast of Lake Mývatn, near the majestic Víti crater, at the foot of a popular skiing slope (Skíðasvæði Mývetnings í Kröflu). Here, amid Iceland's raw beauty, lies the potential site for your innovative cabin design.
Participants are tasked with designing a small-scale cabin that will serve as a warm, inviting pit stop for skiers. This structure should blend functionality with the enchanting Icelandic aesthetic, providing facilities that cater to comfort and practical needs, while also framing the stunning vistas of the surrounding environment. The cabin must integrate features such as a rest and warmth area, a self-serve refreshment station, changing rooms, toilets, equipment storage, and a maintenance garage for a snow groomer.
This competition is an open invitation to imprint your vision upon the Icelandic snow. It’s a chance to mold a small yet significant addition to the skiing landscape—a place that will stand as a testament to thoughtful design and the joy of winter sports.
Download the full competition brief for more information!
Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English.
