The Iceland Tower project is our response to a competition for a viewing tower and interpretive facility at the Grjótagjá Cave in Iceland. The site is located adjacent to the fault line separating the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate in a seemingly limitless and baren landscape. Creating a sense of place in this vast landscape led to a circular building with a semi-enclosed courtyard facing the cave entrance. Referencing the fault itself is the path that leads from the parking area on adjacent higher ground, running through the roof, and ending in a viewing platform overlooking the cave entrance, fault, and landscape.

 

The simple form of the building is a continuous planted roof spiraling up to a high outdoor terrace at the spiral’s apex. To blend into the landscape and survive the harsh environment the building is covered in large panels of black ceramic tiles. Inside, a small kitchen, café, gift shop, gallery and lecture room are arranged in the circular plan around the outdoor courtyard.

 

 

status

Idea

 

client

Undisclosed

 

location

Grjótagjá, Iceland

 

budget

Undisclosed

 

imagery

di loretoARCHITECTURE