World’s leading architecture competition organiser Buildner recently concluded its Iceland Ski Snow Cabin International Design Competition, inviting architects and designers to create a cozy, eco-friendly ski cabin that blends harmoniously with Iceland’s stunning landscape. The competition aimed to develop practical, sustainable designs that offer a skier’s retreat, complete with essential amenities such as gear storage and a warm communal space. The challenge was set in the Mývatn region, a picturesque area in northern Iceland, renowned for its breathtaking natural wonders, including Lake Mývatn, the Skútustaðagígar craters, and the geothermal marvel of the Krafla caldera.
Participants were tasked with designing a ski cabin that reflects the essence of Icelandic winters and the mystique of the Mývatn region, combining modern design with Iceland’s rich heritage. The cabin needed to offer essential facilities such as toilets, changing rooms, a self-serve refreshment station, and storage for skiing equipment. Additionally, it required a garage large enough to accommodate a snow groomer. The design was expected to be environmentally sensitive, resilient, and comfortable, seamlessly blending with the natural surroundings while enhancing the visitor experience.
Entrants were encouraged to consider cost-efficiency, sustainability, and the potential for future scalability, with the ideal budget set between 300,000 and 400,000 ISK (roughly 2,000 to 2,600 EUR) per square meter. The site, located near the Krafla crater and a popular ski slope, offered a flat landscape with existing electricity and cold water connections but no sewage system, prompting designers to propose innovative and sustainable solutions. The competition presented a unique opportunity to create a landmark that could become a symbol of Icelandic architecture, capturing the region’s raw beauty and the spirit of the Northern Lights.
Buildner worked with an international jury panel to evaluate the entries:
• Francisco Garcia de Freitas of the Portuguese firm Atelier RUA – Arquitectos.
• Anne Cecilie Haug of the Oslo-based studio Snøhetta.
• Borghildur Indriðadóttir of the Icelandic office Teiknistofan Óðinstorgi.
• Hildur Ísdal of the Iceland-based Plusark.
• Euan Millar of the UK-based Icosis Architects.
• Tom Schroeder of Patkau Architects in Vancouver.
• Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir of Studio Bua in London.
Source: archdaily.com
