The Converge Tourist Centre and Lookout is located in Iceland at a significant geological site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. The centre serves as a visitor facility designed to enhance exploration and appreciation of the area's distinctive landscape. The overall design concept centers on the idea of convergence, reflected in the building's forms that symbolize the joining of two continents.

Design Concept

The Lookout tower is cantilevered above a fissure in the ground, creating a direct link to the geological features below. This architectural choice provides a compelling entrance for visitors and allows them to view the landscape from an elevated position. The design encourages a focus on the remarkable natural context, enhancing the experience for those who visit.

Spatial Organization

Inside, the layout leads visitors through a central courtyard that serves as a hub for various amenities, including a café and access to the lookout platform. The courtyard promotes movement and interaction, allowing for a smooth transition between different areas of the centre. This organization helps visitors engage with their surroundings while providing functional spaces to rest and reflect.

Materiality

The building is constructed using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and steel, which supports a prefabricated method that reduces disruption to the delicate landscape. This choice of materials allows for efficient assembly on-site while ensuring the structure remains stable. The exterior features multiwall polycarbonate, which provides insulation and creates interesting lighting effects, especially after dark when the centre illuminates and draws people in.

The Lookout is finished with reflective aluminum cladding that enhances its connection to the natural environment. This material not only meets practical weather protection needs but also interacts with the surrounding landscape by reflecting changing light conditions. This design detail emphasizes the themes of convergence and allows visitors to contemplate the harmony between the structure and the landscape around it.