Iceland Volcano
Coffee Shop

The Underhill Experience cuts a dramatic slice through the landscape, creating a fissure that at once frames the volcano and puts visitors in direct relationship with the site’s geology. This proposal of landform architecture successfully blends landscape with building. According to the jurors: “The beautiful divide and the connection to nature is very fitting. This proposal takes a radical approach yet resolves it to a very high level. The interesting cut and shape recalls the geographical conditions of the tuff ring volcanic feature. The project’s interior ceiling feature, however, is dominant and generic and not well-related to the larger concept of the crack or fissure.” The jury commends the submission for strong visuals and excellent presentations of easy-to-read plan and renderings.

The project proposes a strong rectangular block that corresponds with its landscape in material while contrasting from it in the regularity of its form. The block is accessed through a fluid cavity that functions as a circulation route and extends to the landscape as a series of equally fluid pathways. The jury writes: “The proposal profoundly extends the relationship between the building and the site, expressing a great understanding of circulation and spatial quality. As the surrounding panorama should be kept as much as possible, the design demands such a discrete approach. After being overwhelmed by the landscape, visitors meet an indoor space where they are welcomed with warmth while not forgetting the outdoor experience: Visitors follow the lava-like paths into a solid rock where the indoor environment is a warm continuation of the place. It is a structural element where the visitor center is an adventure that has an artistic touch recalling the sculptural forms of Richard Serra.”

Vestige is a rectangular form embedded within the base of the volcano. Its landscaped rooftop carries the same stone as its surroundings, allowing the building to appear to both blend with and emerge from the volcano. The jury writes: “This represents quite a brave approach to the competition by offering a modest design as viewed from the exterior. The traditional framing of the scenery from the interior is successful, but the concept of merging the massing into the volcano’s landscape could be more emphasized. The proposal demonstrates an interesting interpretation of the ground conditions.”