Nestled among volcanic landscapes, a greenhouse restaurant with slanted roofs and vibrant green walls showcases local ingredients while inviting diners to engage with sustainable practices and the natural beauty of Iceland.
5 key facts about this project
01
The restaurant incorporates a slanted roof design that enhances natural light penetration while providing views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.
02
Green walls integrate local flora, promoting biodiversity and reinforcing the building's connection to its environment.
03
Sustainable practices are highlighted through onsite cultivation of herbs and vegetables, allowing diners to engage with their meals’ origins.
04
The structure features large glass panels strategically placed to create seamless indoor-outdoor connections during varying light conditions.
05
Charred wooden shingles, used as a façade material, provide durability while paying homage to traditional Icelandic building techniques.
General keywords
The architectural design project, Umhverfi Greenhouse Restaurant, emerges as a thoughtful and functional space situated near the Myvatn region in Northern Iceland. This project exemplifies a harmonious integration of architecture with its natural surroundings, creating a dining experience that is deeply rooted in both the local environment and culture. Umhverfi serves not only as a restaurant but also as a point of education and engagement with sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of local sourcing and seasonal cooking.
The design of Umhverfi reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and ecological well-being. Its core function revolves around providing an immersive dining experience, by blending the culinary delights of local produce with the beauty of the Icelandic landscape. The restaurant’s architectural approach incorporates a greenhouse element, which not only allows for the cultivation of ingredients on site but also educates visitors about the farming processes involved in creating their meals.
Key components of the project include two distinct entries designed for different experiences. The Day Entry is oriented to enhance the guest’s awareness of local agriculture, as it leads through a pathway lined with educational displays about the plants growing in the adjacent greenhouse. This thoughtfully designed route encourages diners to connect with their food, fostering a respect for local farming traditions and sustainability. In contrast, the Night Entry focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere that builds anticipation for the unique visual phenomena associated with the Northern Lights. This duality in entry design serves to cater to varied dining experiences that align with the time of day and the corresponding natural beauty of the environment.
The building’s materiality plays a significant role in its architectural integrity. Extensive use of concrete provides a robust structural base, while large glass panels facilitate ample natural light and offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. These design choices emphasize transparency and openness, allowing guests to feel connected to the outside world while enjoying their meals in a comfortable interior environment. The warm tones of wood are also incorporated in key areas, harmonizing with the other materials and invoking a sense of warmth and familiarity.
One of the project’s unique design approaches is its integration of green roofs and vertical gardens, which not only serve aesthetic purposes but also contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting biodiversity and insulation. This design choice reflects a wider trend in contemporary architecture where the building itself interacts positively with its ecological context. Moreover, these green spaces play a vital role in educating visitors about the benefits of urban agriculture and local ecosystems.
Umhverfi also leverages innovative lighting concepts that shift in response to the changing daylight throughout the day, enhancing the dining experience and further connecting guests to the natural rhythms of the environment around them. The strategic placement of lighting within the interior spaces creates a dynamic atmosphere that shifts from vibrant and energizing during the day to warm and serene at night, offering an experience that is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food.
Each aspect of Umhverfi has been carefully considered to facilitate a greater understanding of, and connection to, the landscape. The architectural design accentuates the surrounding environment rather than competing with it, allowing diners to appreciate the natural beauty of the land while enjoying locally sourced culinary delights.
In summary, Umhverfi Greenhouse Restaurant represents a forward-thinking approach to architecture and design that prioritizes sustainability, local engagement, and environmental consciousness. It is in this thoughtful integration of architecture with farming, education, and culinary excellence that the project defines itself. For those interested in exploring the intricate details of this architectural endeavor, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and various architectural design elements, a closer look at the project presentation will provide deeper insights into this innovative design.
The design of Umhverfi reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and ecological well-being. Its core function revolves around providing an immersive dining experience, by blending the culinary delights of local produce with the beauty of the Icelandic landscape. The restaurant’s architectural approach incorporates a greenhouse element, which not only allows for the cultivation of ingredients on site but also educates visitors about the farming processes involved in creating their meals.
Key components of the project include two distinct entries designed for different experiences. The Day Entry is oriented to enhance the guest’s awareness of local agriculture, as it leads through a pathway lined with educational displays about the plants growing in the adjacent greenhouse. This thoughtfully designed route encourages diners to connect with their food, fostering a respect for local farming traditions and sustainability. In contrast, the Night Entry focuses on creating an inviting atmosphere that builds anticipation for the unique visual phenomena associated with the Northern Lights. This duality in entry design serves to cater to varied dining experiences that align with the time of day and the corresponding natural beauty of the environment.
The building’s materiality plays a significant role in its architectural integrity. Extensive use of concrete provides a robust structural base, while large glass panels facilitate ample natural light and offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. These design choices emphasize transparency and openness, allowing guests to feel connected to the outside world while enjoying their meals in a comfortable interior environment. The warm tones of wood are also incorporated in key areas, harmonizing with the other materials and invoking a sense of warmth and familiarity.
One of the project’s unique design approaches is its integration of green roofs and vertical gardens, which not only serve aesthetic purposes but also contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting biodiversity and insulation. This design choice reflects a wider trend in contemporary architecture where the building itself interacts positively with its ecological context. Moreover, these green spaces play a vital role in educating visitors about the benefits of urban agriculture and local ecosystems.
Umhverfi also leverages innovative lighting concepts that shift in response to the changing daylight throughout the day, enhancing the dining experience and further connecting guests to the natural rhythms of the environment around them. The strategic placement of lighting within the interior spaces creates a dynamic atmosphere that shifts from vibrant and energizing during the day to warm and serene at night, offering an experience that is as much about the ambiance as it is about the food.
Each aspect of Umhverfi has been carefully considered to facilitate a greater understanding of, and connection to, the landscape. The architectural design accentuates the surrounding environment rather than competing with it, allowing diners to appreciate the natural beauty of the land while enjoying locally sourced culinary delights.
In summary, Umhverfi Greenhouse Restaurant represents a forward-thinking approach to architecture and design that prioritizes sustainability, local engagement, and environmental consciousness. It is in this thoughtful integration of architecture with farming, education, and culinary excellence that the project defines itself. For those interested in exploring the intricate details of this architectural endeavor, including architectural plans, architectural sections, and various architectural design elements, a closer look at the project presentation will provide deeper insights into this innovative design.
