Our competition proposal sought to engage the mind and body, to impart a sense of the earth recreating itself below our feet.
ICELAND CROSSING TIME
IDEAS COMPETITION
2021
BackImages
AT THE TOP OF THE FISSURE ARE THREE LAMINATED WOOD CROSSING BEAMS SPANNING THE FAULT LINE BETWEEN THE CONTINENTS
GRJÓTAGJÁ CAVES - SITE PLAN
SECTIONAL VIEW SHOWING THE WOOD BEAM CROSSING, GEOTHERMAL BATHING CAVE, HEAT ISLANDS WITH PRECAST BENCHES AND CAFE ENTRY BUILDING
SECTIONAL VIEW SHOWING THE WOOD BEAM CROSSING, GEOTHERMAL BATHING CAVE, HEAT ISLANDS WITH PRECAST BENCHES AND CAFE ENTRY BUILDING
RADIAN HEAT BENCHES INCREASE THERMAL COMFORT AND CONTROL ICE ON THE HARDSCAPE
WALKING ON TOP OF THE BEAM CROSSING, CREATES A PERSONAL POETIC EXPERIENCE
SUMMER AND WINTER COMFORT STRATEGIES
Description
Grjotagja is home to some of the most beautiful natural terrain in the world, punctuated by the remarkable geothermal pools which are nested adjacent to the tectonic fault line which defines the ever-expanding boundary between the North American and European plates.
Our proposal defines a visit as a journey, a journey of multiple destinations “linked” by modest yet powerfully poetic architectural experiences which touch the senses. Using simple amenities and interventions scaled to the individual, the landscape is embraced by a delicate presence, complimenting this elemental natural landscape.
Visitors spend time at the site, moving comfortably up, over, across and within the landscape, allowing time to appreciate, contemplate and distill the significance and beauty of the site. Our design, while protecting the site, allows for greater accessibility, moments of comfort and social interchange.