The project of the Hverfjall Volcano Museum made by Polish architects received third place in the international competition organized by Bee Breeders. Congratulations!
The development of an architectural concept for the Hverfjall Volcano Museum was part of a series of competitions for cultural and tourist facilities in Iceland. The competition task was to design a museum with a multi-purpose exhibition hall, a cafe for visitors and an office complex. The plot of land for the facility was laid out five kilometers north of the Hverfjall volcano in an area famous for its numerous lakes, thermal waters and aurora viewing sites.
© Artur Chyra, Malwina Wojcik
respect for nature
Responding to the competition criteria, Artur Chyra and Malwina Wójcik created an object that fits in with the respect for the surrounding nature ingrained in Icelandic culture, and as a result creates a strong spatial relationship with it. The main idea of the project was to create a permeable form that, by defining view lines, will allow users to be in constant contact with the volcano and the surrounding landscape, both from outside and inside the building.
The design of the building takes into account the main view axes
© Artur Chyra, Malwina Wójcik
strong form
The resulting form consists of strong, uniform elements contrasted by transparent glass connectors, which further allows for adequate interior illumination while maintaining a defined, massive building structure capable of providing thermal comfort during severe weather conditions.
Seven strong, uniform elements define the building's massing
© Artur Chyra, Malwina Wójcik
The main entrance to the building takes advantage of the existing path running through the plot and emphasizes the central break of the building on the view axis leading to the Hverfjall volcano. The treatment used also introduces a clear spatial division between the public area, which includes a foyer, a multipurpose room and a cafeteria, and the private area, which includes an office complex and the building's technical rooms. The proposed exhibition hall provides maximum flexibility in arranging the space according to the needs of the organizer.
museum interiors: multifunctional exhibition hall and café
© Artur Chyra, Malwina Wójcik
The building's structure was made of concrete, which performs well in the prevailing climate. Locally available volcanic rock was used as a finishing material, so the building blends in with the surrounding landscape.
See also the other awarded projects in this competition: TEKTONIK by Pawel Danielak, Agnieszka Baszak and Bartlomiej Bruzda, and Iceland Volcano Museum by Lukasz Gaska, Marta Sowinska-Gaska and Michal Gawron.
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illustrations courtesy of Artur Chyra and Malwina Wójcik
