- Grjótagjá Caves – Visitor Centre and Bath
- December 2020
- Iceland Cave Tower Competition – Entrant
- Jaimi Bendo, Simon Caufield, Catherine He, Natalia Kharitonova
INTRODUCTION
A land divided. A massive crevice exposing the contents of northern Iceland’s core. Its natural beauty attracts the curious. Its natural warmth is welcoming. A land worth preserving, as well as sharing with wandering eyes. A place worth exploring above, on, and below the surface.
The vastness of the land surrounding Grjótagjá caves can be overwhelming. The design is intended to ease the transition and prepare you to be submerged into the natural geothermal hot springs, by respecting and integrating with the existing landforms.
The main buildings will embrace you as you transition from the expansive land into the central visiting area. From here, the Karlagjã caves are just ahead, with the pinnacle observation platform hovering at the highest point on the site. Public boardwalks will lead you further into the landscape, ultimately bridging across the tectonic divide between Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate. At the pinnacle you can float over the divide between continents, as steam is exhaled from beneath.
For an more intimate experience, you step down into a sunken path. The rock walls hug you from either side and provide protection from the mighty winds as you make your passage “through” the ground towards the private Kvennagjá bathing cave. The sunken rest area around the cave provides amenities, heat, and a peaceful resting space, before and after your bath. Finally you descend into the earth for a unique and surreal bathing experience.
VISITOR CENTRE
The configuration of the three main buildings is inspired by the crevice formed by the overlapping tectonic plates. The jagged edges of the land and rock are mimicked in the building’s sharp angle forms. The contrast between light and dark cladding materials emphasize the cave-like atmosphere as you enter through the main entry and maneuver your way to the bright and open central plaza, with views of the two public cave entrances. The threshold leading to the visitor gathering area allows the user to experience a taste of what’s to come before they enter the caves.
PATHWAYS
The purpose of the visitor centre is to create an immersive experience and allow visitors to experience the landscape from various perspectives.
From the moment you enter, to the coffee in the café, as you travel up over the bridge from one tectonic plate to the other, arriving at the tip of the observation platform, towering over the crevice, the pinnacle, offering unobstructed 360-degree views of the vast landscape. Then finally, as you submerge down to the sunken paths and into the natural hot spring’s caves. The user is invited to be curious and explore every aspect of the Grjótagjá caves.
The inspiration from the landscape continues into the sunken path, cladding materials and construction of the main buildings, and heating and operating the facilities. The sunken path is formed by excavating the land, utilizing the natural rock formation for its walls. As well as the seating area around the Kvennagjá cave. Along the sunken path, are you simultaneously protected from nature and exposed to it.
The project predominantly features local timber and glulam for structure. The warmth of the wood creates an inviting space for guests and creates a visual contrast against the rocky tundra landscape.
The project is heated by geothermal energy naturally generated on site, which also keep the sunken boardwalk snow free during the winter months. Water for toilets and sinks is collected from rain and snow melt. Drinking water is also derived directly from the site, through filtered ground water from a nearby well. The buildings are well insulted with controlled openings for light and ventilation, creating an energy efficient building to heat.
DETAILS
To prevent further deterioration of fragile natural landscape, boardwalk paths guide the exploration throughout the site from the parking lot to the observation deck and the caves. Accessibility of the public spaces is supported by these pathways, allowing a diverse experience from above, on-grade, and below with minimal impact on the terrain.