ARKÍS ehf.

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center

SNAEFELLSSTOFA VISITOR CENTER

ARKÍS architects

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

ARCHITECTS
ARKÍS architects

OWNER
Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður - Vatnajökull galcier

PHOTOGRAPHS
Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

AREA
750.0 m2

YEAR
2010

LOCATION
Egilsstaðir, Iceland

CATEGORY
Visitor Center

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

Text description provided by architect.

Snæfellsstofa Visitor Center communicates the dignity of the surrounding nature and is closely connected to its immediate surroundings.

It attracts visitors to its unique appearance and simultaneously works as an attractor for indoor and outdoor activities.

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

The building is divided into three parts so that it can be utilized in different ways, depending on the season.

The visitor center is placed on the site at the location of a pronounced change in elevation, so that the building gently glides over the terrain.

The location is selected to ensure shelter from winds, ample daylight and mountain views.

The building form is inspired by the eternal creative force of the glacier; how it breaks its way through terrains or retreats and carves new, ever changing natural wonders into the landscape.

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

These creations provide models for the spaces and forms found in the building.

Material palettes are largely composed of local materials. Local larch, turf roof and landscaping walls of local rock. The nearby forest will become apparent in the building’s texture.

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson

THE BUILDING

In plan, the building is X shaped. The building’s main axis, the exhibitions- and education axis rises up to both sides and creates a framework for an exhibition space and a library. The exhibition- and education axis rises up from the Rock Foundation as a living and ever changing glacier.

The Rock Foundation or the service axis crosses the exhibition axis and houses a café and restrooms in addition to staff facilities. Through the two axes lies the information path, ending in an outdoor amphitheater.

Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson


Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
© Sigurgeir Sigurjónsson


Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
Plan
Snaefellsstofa Visitor Center
Plan

ARKÍS ehf.
T +354 511 2060
ARKÍS ehf.
Vesturvör 7 200, 200 Kópavogur, Iceland