The Icefiord Centre is a new gathering place for local residents, businesses, climate researchers, climate debaters and global tourists, meeting in a dynamic learning and exhibition space. The project is located in a very strategic location of Greenland. The Icefiord Centre in Ilulissat takes place in the UNESCO-protected area on the west coast of Greenland. 

The project has been designed by Danish architecture practice Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter and won the international competition, highlighting its poetic, simple and visionary design, respecting the nature of the UNESCO-protected area.   

The skeleton of the building reflects itself in closest weather and still dynamic and vivid. Image © MIR 

Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter saw off well-known architecture practices in the competition with its emblematic proposal including; Snøhetta, Studio Other Spaces (Olafur Eliasson and Sebastian Behmann), Arkís Architects, Kengo Kuma and Associates and Rintala Eggertsson Architects. 

The Icefiord Centre presents spectacular views of the icefiord, which is also a perfect destination for many travellers from around the world. Image © MIR 

The Icefiord Centre presents spectacular views of the icefiord, which is also a perfect destination for many travellers from around the world. The building is designed as an all encompassing framework, partly inside and partly outside that embraces all activities. The wooden framework, designed as a truss, bridges the rugged landscape. 

The structure is twisting while still keeping its viewpoint to the greenland's mountains. Image © MIR 

It floats lightly above it, curving out over the edge of the Sermermiut Valley offering the spectacular, undisturbed view through the valley and to the icefiord. The framework is covered by a gently sloping, curved wooden boardwalk that becomes the starting point for the World Heritage Trail and at the same time acts as a gathering point, a viewing platform, and an informal seating area. 

The continuous flow of the Icefiord Centre is a new poetic shelter for the travellers. Image © MIR

Moving across the roof, like when hiking to reach the top of a hilltop, a visitor will meet the magnificent open view of the icefiord and overlook the route of the trail before walking on. The roof deck acts as a point of departure for local residents when going for a walk, a place to watch the sunset or gather in the evening sun. Moving through the building the geometry changes in section in a continuous flow. The movement of the structure and form creates a constantly changing view that enhances the experience of the landscape by framing the fantastic viewpoints.

Interior view of the structure and trusses are percepted inside. Image © MIR 

The Icefiord area carries 4,000 years of cultural heritage and is essential for the understanding of climate changes. The Icefiord Centre will tell the story of ice, of human history and evolution in both a local and global sense.

The Icefiord Centre is a sculptural structure, experiencing Greenland's glacial landscape in different dimensions. Image © MIR 

The structure adapts itself to the natural environment. Image © Dorte Mandrup 

Plan of the Icefiord Centre. Image © Dorte Mandrup 

Top image © MIR 

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