Several teams from Poland participated in the international competition Iceland Lake Mývatn Community House. We present the project by a team of Silesian University of Technology graduates, consisting of: Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek and Bartłomiej Szczyrk, which was shortlisted for the competition. The Poles' proposal is a building on a circular plan, which combines functions related to the circular economy, as well as cultural and social functions.
The competition was organized by the Buildner platform in cooperation with Sveinn Margeirsson, mayor of the municipality of Skútustaðahreppur in northern Iceland. The challenge was to design a community/municipal house that would become an example of the positive impact of the closed-loop economy for the whole of Iceland and even the world. The proposed building is intended to be a major regional center for trade, exchange and recycling of materials and resources, and was also to serve as a hub for the local community. Participants were asked to design a place that would be multifunctional, allowing for various events, as well as offering space for tourists.
Iceland Lake Mývatn Community House project, entrance area
© Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek, Bartłomiej Szczyrk
Another important aspect of the building was waste management. Upcoming changes in local policy (the merger of the two municipalities of Skútustaðahreppur and Þingeyjarsveit) mean that the new municipality must find a way to recycle nearly 100 tons of organic waste per year. Participants in the competition were therefore asked to propose a solution to this issue, along with locating a warehouse in the facility, as well as a staging area for trucks, and snowplows. In addition, the organization of a public space was also envisioned, where a greenhouse or community garden could be set up using recycled organic waste.
The building would be built in northern Iceland
© Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek, Bartłomiej Szczyrk
polish project on the competition shortlist
The proposals submitted from all over the world were shaded by a jury consisting of: Marshall Blecher (MAST, Denmark), Xuanru Chen (ZJJZ Atelier, China), Pip Cheshire (Cheshire Architects, New Zealand), Borghildur Indriðadóttir (artist, Iceland), Magic Kwan andKenrick Wong (OOA - Orient Occident Atelier, Cambodia), Marta Frazão, Filipe Rodrigues and Inês Vicente (Atelier Data, Portugal), Lera Samovich (Fala Atelier, Portugal), Sigrún Sumarliðadóttir (Studio Bua, UK and Norway). They awarded three main prizes (First Prize to the team: Moye Guo, Shilan Yu from Germany), two special prizes and six honorable mentions, among which was the Mývatnssveit Eldaskáli project by Przemyslaw Chmielarski, Agnieszka Trzcinska and Adita Soman. Meanwhile, a project from Poland - Lake Mývatn Community Center by Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek and Bartłomiej Szczyrk- was shortlisted for the competition .
Life centers around an atrium
© Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek, Bartłomiej Szczyrk
building like a living organism
Our goal was to design a building whose form would be as functional as possible. To this end, we decided to place all functions in one place in order to integrate them naturally into the landscape of Lake Mývatn, thus minimally interfering with the existing landscape. Seemingly contradictory social functions and those related to waste storage/recycling - we decided to locate in one building. Which allowed, among other things, to reduce vehicular traffic on and around the site, provided greater accessibility to the site, as well as intuitiveness when using the facility. We assumed the concept of the building as a living organism consisting of many elements, contained in a facility with a minimalist form and a cozy interior , the authors say.
The designers' goal was to create a space that is as practical and intuitive to use as possible, and to balance the two functions of waste management and social center. The authors designed the space so that it could be used not only as a place to trade in aftermarket products, but also as a welcoming space for visitors, travelers and people living in the neighborhood who need a place to hold various recreational events, such as outdoor cinema, courses, lectures, exhibitions or local festivals.
The building was designed on a circular plan
© Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek, Bartłomiej Szczyrk
community center on a circular plan
The building itself, created on a circular plan, the authors believe, is meant to reinforce a sense of security and coziness in this beautiful wild landscape. At the same time, thanks to the large windows in the social spaces, the boundary between inside and outside is blurred, The main structure consists of spaces such as a greenhouse, social areas with a kitchen, showers with restrooms for travelers, large storage spaces, an information desk and a space for exhibiting and exchanging products with other community members.
A greenhouse and kitchen are also available for users
© Maksymilian Benek, Martyna Kotulek, Bartłomiej Szczyrk
In the design of the Lake Mývatn Community Center, we focused on factors such as sustainability, choosing a simple wooden structure for the facility, which allows the use of recycled wood and also implies the reuse of this material. The focal point of the project, the atrium, is a place intended, among other things, for the exchange of products between the two communities of Skútustaðahreppur and Thingeyjarsveit municipalities to emphasize the idea of circular economy. However, the place offers more possibilities - from organizing workshops to outdoor cinema to exhibitions - giving the space the possibility to be multifunctional as well as adaptable to change, the authors conclude.
Also read about the design of a cafe at the foot of an Icelandic volcano by Kamil Brylka.
