FACTS

Location: Grindavík, Iceland

Year: 1998 / 2007

Area: 6.000 m2

Client: Eldvörp hf

Status: Completed

Awards:

The Nordic Lighting Prize 2002 – nominated

Mies van der Rohe Award 2000 – nominated

Icelandic Tourist Board Prize 2000

Reykjanes Environmental Award 2000

DV Architecture Prize 1999

Elec 2000 Paris – invitation

 

ABOUT

The architectural design emphasizes the interaction between modern technology and the unique nature. The building is neatly placed on the edge of the Illahraun lava. The visitors parking lot is located in approximately two hundred meters distance from the main entrance of the buiding and the pathway goes through a man-made lava crack. A lava wall is leading the visitor through the whole main body of the a building and to a natural wall of lava that marks the ends of the architectural structure. This wall interconnects to the untouched edge of the lava embracing and sheltering the lagoon. The architectural structure was built in two phases and it allows for further enlargement; a hotel with its own spa and lagoon.

 

CREDITS

Design team: 

First phase (1995-1998):
Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir (project architect), Anna Sigríður Jóhannesdóttir, Edda Þórsdóttir, Richard Ólafur Briem, Sigurður Björgúlfsson, Steinunn Halldórsdóttir

 

Second phase (2005-2007):
Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir (project architect), Ingunn Lilliendahl, Maria Sjöfn Dupuis, Steinunn Halldórsdóttir

 

Engineering: Hönnun, now Mannvit (1st phase)

Landscaping: Storð (1st phase)

Contractor: ÍAV/Atafl

 

Photo: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson, Rafn Sigurbjörnsson