In Hellissandur, Icelandic studio ARKÍS designed a sustainable visitor center for Snæfellsjökull National Park, built to meet the rigorous BREEAM standards
The Snæfellsjökull Visitor Center in Hellissandur, located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland, was the winning proposal in an international competition launched in 2006. The project was designed by the renowned Icelandic architecture firm ARKÍS arkitektar ehf. Construction began in 2020 and was completed in 2022, with the official opening in March 2023.
An immersive experience through lava and landscape
L’edificio non è solo una struttura ma un percorso tra cultura e ambiente. Attraverso un sentiero che si snoda su un mare di lava, si accede progressivamente al “Glacial Cape” (Jökulhöfði), evocazione visiva del ghiacciaio Snæfellsjökull. Come gli occhi di una balena, l’osservatore percepisce il paesaggio in modo nuovo, catturato da scorci che si rivelano gradualmente lungo la passeggiata.
Innovative, Earthquake-Resistant Design
The center is composed of two distinct sections: the Glacier Cape, which houses exhibition spaces, and the Fishbone, which hosts park offices and services. One of its most striking features is a cantilevered section hovering above the lava field—an engineering challenge solved with innovative, earthquake-resistant construction techniques.
The facades are clad with two types of timber: horizontal for the Glacier Cape and vertical for the Fishbone. A central walkway allows visitors to pass straight through the building, while rooftop staircases lead to an observation deck overlooking the Snæfellsjökull glacier and the village of Hellissandur.
Sustainable Construction and BREEAM Certification
The entire project was designed and built following the BREEAM certification standards, ensuring a low environmental impact. All materials were eco-friendly and FSC-certified, waste was minimized and tracked, and the contractor had to comply with strict environmental protocols throughout construction.
A visitor center in dialogue with nature
Rather than imposing itself on the environment, the Snæfellsjökull Visitor Center by ARKÍS blends into the volcanic terrain and glacier views. It’s a cultural and recreational hub that respects and enhances its surroundings, offering an architectural experience that mirrors the profound beauty of Iceland’s natural landscape.
ARKÍS arkitektar ehf. With this project, ARKÍS arkitektar ehf. shows how design can honor the land, reduce its footprint, and deliver meaningful, place-based architecture—where nature and people meet.
Ph Karl Vilhjálmsson
