Shaping the Future of Energy: Iceland Competition Winners Announced

An international design competition was held for the Renewable Energy Research Center of Iceland, located at Kársnes Harbor in Kópavogur. Concluded in April 2025 with the announcement of selected projects, the competition invited architects and designers from around the globe to envision a sustainable research hub that celebrates innovation, public engagement, and Iceland’s unique natural landscape.

Organized by Design Unlimited, the competition aimed to push the boundaries of sustainable architecture by encouraging participants to design a center that not only drives renewable energy research but also serves as a public landmark and educational platform.

After careful evaluation by a distinguished jury of architects, designers, and sustainability experts, the top three prizes were awarded to:

First Prize

First Prize

Second Prize

Second Prize

Third Prize

Third Prize

• First Prize: Yufeng Tu, Jiayu Zhu, Peixuan Wu – [WHALE LEAPS]
• Second Prize: Ivan Kucherenko, Anton Pyschyda, Viktor Zelenyak – [UNITY WITH NATURE]
• Third Prize: Weichen Wang, Youssef Denial, Victor Fomin – [KRISTAL HÖLLIN]

Additionally, the jury recognized seven more entries with Honorable and Special Mentions for their creative approaches and strong environmental narratives.

Honorable Mention 1

Honorable Mention 1

Honorable Mention 2

Honorable Mention 2

Honorable Mention 3

Honorable Mention 3

Special Mention 1

Special Mention 1

Special Mention 2

Special Mention 3

Special Mention 3

Special Mention 4

Special Mention 4

Special Mention 4

• Honorable Mention 1: Luan Fontes, Andreas Palfinger, Aysin Sahir, Ana Cyano, Gabriel Perucchi – [THE VIOLENCE OF THE WINDS]
• Honorable Mention 2: Won Jun Choi, Ji Won Park, Jin Hyeok Hwang – [ASCENDING INNOVATION CENTER]

• Honorable Mention 3: Zhengzhuo Wang – [THE GORGE OF HEAT]

• Special Mention 1: Yeong Ug Lee, Gwang Jin Noh, Dong Ha Lee – [NEW RESONANCE IN THE BOX]
• Special Mention 2: Ziyue Liu, Shuai Wang – [AN ECHO OF THE GLACIER]
• Special Mention 3: Jeonghun Han, Hyeyoung Kim – [CENTER FOR HERITAGE AND RENEWABLE FUTURES]
• Special Mention 4: Yicheng Gao, Tong Zang – [THE KÁRSNES EYE]

The submissions reflected a diverse range of perspectives and innovative interpretations of how built environments can foster a deeper connection with nature while addressing the urgent needs of climate-conscious design. The winning projects, especially the first-prize "WHALE LEAPS," were celebrated for their bold formal gestures, technical insight, and poetic integration into the Icelandic landscape.

By merging visionary architecture with sustainability, the competition not only highlighted Iceland’s leadership in renewable energy but also underscored the role of design in shaping a responsible and inspiring future.