The project combines exhibition spaces, restaurant, retail and office facilities within a building shaped by the geological character of its surroundings. The geometrical form rises from uneven land that strikes waves of mould and rock around it, allowing the architecture to emerge naturally from the terrain while creating a distinct presence within the open landscape.

Its strong identity is emphasized through a double-layer of larch timber cladding inspired by the multiple volcanic ash layers existing on the site. The outdoor public square extends the existing town fabric and creates a link between the local community and visitors, while an elevated viewing platform offers panoramic views across the surrounding landscape.

The design of the building and the exhibition were developed hand in hand, allowing the architecture to reflect the narrative that forms the plot of the exhibition. Interior spaces shift between bright and dark, narrow and open, creating an unusual but precise framework for the experiences visitors are meant to feel throughout the building.

Material choices reinforce the raw atmosphere of the Icelandic landscape. The structure is built using cross-laminated timber structural elements as part of the project’s sustainable approach. In the interiors, black-stained wood and rough black steel are used as the main finishing materials, creating spaces that echo the textures, tones and atmosphere of lava, ash and volcanic rock.