Bee Breeders has announced winners for the Iceland Black Lava Fields Visitor Center competition, which was the first in a series of competitions set in sites across northern Iceland. 

The jury selected winning proposals that drew from Icelandic heritage and traditional materials, experimented with varied forms, and considered ways of balancing opacity with transparency to offer both insulation from the cold and views to the surroundings. Those proposals that were restrained and respectful to the site spoke most clearly to the jury, who sought ideas for maintaining the landscape’s harmony.

The first prize winner was Mikkel Vadstrup Schmidt from Denmark. His ‘Cast in Fire’ project featured sharp edges and contours corresponding to the sharp forms of the site’s rock formations. The dark metal cladding was balanced by warm, light-coloured woods on the interior with an open plan organized around a fireplace and skylight.

Second prize was awarded to Luís Henrique Alcântara and Vladimir Alcântara of the Brazil-based company ARCHTY, whose submission derived from the ‘mass of coagulated rock that forms the shape of the site.’ 

Third prize went to a team from a US-company Sala Hars. Entrants Juan Sala and Douglas Harsevoort designed a triangular building based on five means through which the site can be observed.

BB Green Award was awarded to Asger Rasmussen, Sebastian Zapata Ottung Henriksen, Victor Ohn-Breumlund from Denmark, while BB Student Award was given to Annika Möbs, Johanna Spies von, Büllesheim
 from Technical University Braunschweig from Germany. 

See the winning projects below:

Images courtesy of the artist

1st prize winner: Cast in fire by Mikkel Vadstrup Schmidt from Denmark

Jury comment:

"The building’s form is sculptural, defined by sharp edges and contours corresponding to the sharp forms of the site’s rock formations. This dark metal cladding is balanced by warm, light-coloured woods on the interior. The open plan is organized around a fireplace and skylight. ‘Cast in Fire’ compares the process of extreme heating that produced the site’s unique landscape, with the process of extreme heating used to produce the type of steel structure and metal panels that form the bones and skin of this building. The question is, how sustainable is this process?"

Image courtesy of the artists

2nd prize winners: Black Lava Fields Visitor Center by ARCHTY - Luís Henrique Alcântara & Vladimir Alcântara from Brazil

Jury comment:

"This submission is derived from the ‘mass of coagulated rock that forms the shape of the site.’ The square-shaped building supports a series of ramped roof viewing platforms and wraps an ‘open gallery landscape’ with a succession of enclosed programs, including an exhibition space and cafe. The form of the stepped interior courtyard also makes its way into the building as a stepped gallery and social space. The jury found the proposal beautifully rendered with simple, crisp images and a clear concept for interacting with this precious site."

3rd prize winner: Black Rock by SALA HARS - Juan Sala & Douglas Harsevoort from United States

Jury comment: 

"Black Rock’ is a triangular building based on 5 means through which to observe the site: vertically through skylights and a larger ‘sky frame’; and horizontally through exterior terraces, seated galleries, and seated dining. The building is triangular in form and clad in dark burned wood, which works well in dialogue with the site’s dark-colored rock formations. The jury applauds the proposal’s organization in plan, and its raising of the building on pilotis to protect against exposure to moisture. It questions the details of the facade, which is clad in panels shaped like oars of the ancient Vikings so important to this region: aside from endowing the building with crafted wooden elements, can these forms also aid the building in a functional way?."

Images courtesy of the artists

BB Green Award winners: The Monolith of Dimmuborgir by Asger Rasmussen, Sebastian Zapata Ottung Henriksen and Victor Ohn-Breumlund from Denmark

Images courtesy of the artists

BB Student Award winners: Black Lava Fields Visitor Center by Annika Möbs, Johanna Spies von, Büllesheim
 from Technical University Braunschweig from Germany.

The competition also selected 6 Honorable Mentions, see 6 Honorable Mentions on the competition's website. See all architecture competitions on WAC's Competitions page. 

> via Bee Breeders