Iceland Volcano Lookout Point

Hverfjall in northern Iceland is tephra cone or “tuff ring” volcano. Located to the east of Mývatn volcanic lake, the volcanic explosion crater is 1 km wide and roughly 140 meters deep and is a popular hiking destination. Visitors can easily access many parts of the crater via public hiking trails, where its ridges can reach 200 meters high. 

Believed to have been created during a volcano eruption, Hverfjall is almost perfectly symmetrical apart from a landslide that took place several years ago, and its dark, captivating colours make it a popular tourist attraction and photography spot. The site is protected, so visitors can only use the two approved hiking trails to access the crater, with all other areas restricted.

For the Iceland Volcano Lookout Point architecture competition, participants are tasked with designing an observation point positioned on the northern edge of the crater. Participants will need to consider the functional properties of this observation point, and produce an impressive aesthetic that’s in keeping with the stunning Icelandic surroundings.

The platform will need to fit a 10x10m base offering a view from the top overlooking Lake Mývatn and the Dimmuborgir Lava fields.

The Icelandic landscape is full of bold contrasts, intriguing shapes and deep dark colours, and so participants are free to take inspiration from a truly unique environment to create a structure that matches the visual appeal of a 1km-wide crater formed by a volcanic explosion. 

PRIZES

3 winning proposals, 2 special award recipients and 6 honourable mentions will be selected. Bee Breeders will award a total of 6,000 € in prize money to competition winners as follows:

1st Prize - 3,000 €
2nd Prize - 1,500 €
3rd Prize - 500 €

+ 6 honourable mentions

ARCHHIVE Student Award - 500 € + 50 € gift card at ARCHHIVE BOOKS
Bee Breeders Green Award - 500 € 

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Advance Registration: JULY 17 – SEPTEMBER 21
Last Minute Registration: SEPTEMBER 22 – NOVEMBER 16

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 18, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT) 
Announcement of the winners: MARCH 2, 2022

More: architecturecompetitions.com/icelandvolcanolookoutpoint/

JURY:

Marshall Blecher, Marshall Blecher Studio
Greg Corso, SPORTS Collaborative
Jake Heffington, [Diversify Architecture]
Borghildur Indriðadóttir, artist
Kyle Schumann, After Architecture
Erik Sommerfeld, ColoradoBuildingWorkshop

Left - Aerial view of Hverfjall crater. Right - Northern Lights, Mývatn, Iceland.

Hverfjall volcano crater is almost perfectly symmetrical

Left - Dimmuborgir lava fields near Mývatn in the North of Iceland. Right - Remote Lake Mývatn near Mývatn in Northern Iceland

Dimmuborgir rock formations

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Advance Registration: JULY 17 – SEPTEMBER 21
Last Minute Registration: SEPTEMBER 22 – NOVEMBER 16

Final registration deadline: NOVEMBER 16, 2021 
Closing date for submission: DECEMBER 18, 2021 (11:59 p.m. GMT) 
Announcement of the winners: MARCH 2, 2022

More: architecturecompetitions.com/icelandvolcanolookoutpoint/