Client
-
Location
Myvatn, Iceland
Area
900
Team
Łukasz Gąska
Marta Sowińska-Gąska
Michał Gawron
Status
Competition concept
The Iceland Volcano Museum, located approximately 4 km northwest of the Hverfjall volcano, draws inspiration from the ancient volcanic form shaped by nature over millions of years. The museum’s structure is a monolithic cast of Hverfjall’s crater interior, strategically placed to align with the volcano and an observation point, creating a perspective illusion where the building and volcano complement each other.
Visitors begin their tour on an underground ramp connecting the car park and main road to the museum. This ramp, running under the museum’s main body and aligned with the volcano, frames the view and establishes a unique relationship between the museum and its surroundings. Approaching the museum evokes feelings of respect and awe for nature’s power. The entrance, located beneath the building, houses a foyer, cloakroom, gift shop, and cafe, with office rooms on the opposite side.
The main exhibition hall, within the irregularly shaped building, offers a spacious open area for flexible exhibition arrangements, creating the impression of being inside the earth. The tour concludes with a rooftop viewing platform.
The structure is composed of self-supporting elements made of glued laminated timber, shaped using CNC technology. This approach allows for the creation of the building’s irregular shape with prefabrication and eco-friendly materials, ensuring a short construction time. This design aligns with modern standards and exemplifies the integration of architecture with the natural environment.
