Visitor Center

Visitors' Center for the Vatnajökull-glacier National Park at Skriðuklaustur. OPEN COMPETITION 1. PRIZE.

Snæfellstofa Visitor Center communicates the dignity of the surrounding nature and is closely
connected to its immediate surroundings.  It attracts visitors to its unique appearance and
simultaneously works as an attractor for indoor and outdoor activities.  The building is divided into three parts so that it can be utilized in different ways, depending on the season.

The visitor center is placed on the site at the location of a pronounced change in elevation, so that the building gently glides over the terrain.  The location is selected to ensure shelter from winds, ample daylight and mountain views.

The building form is inspired by the eternal creative force of the glacier; how it breaks its way through terrains or retreats and carves new, ever changing natural wonders into the landscape.  These creations provide models for the spaces and forms found in the building. 

Material palettes are largely composed of local materials.  Local larch, turf roof and landscaping walls of local rock. The nearby forest will become apparent in the building’s texture.  In addition, horizontal and gently tilted tertier lava layers are reflected in the building with pronounced angles and the deep valley is reflected in its appearance, especially in colors.