Designed by Icelandic studio Arkís arkitektar, the Snæfellsjökull National Park Visitor Centre in the village of Hellissandur, Iceland, was the winning entry in an open competition in 2006. Marred by funding setbacks following the financial crisis and lengthy environmental reviews, construction did not commence until 2020 and was completed in 2022. Designed and constructed to meet the international BREEAM standard, the project prioritised environmentally responsible materials and careful waste management.
The visitor centre is conceived as more than a building: it is also a walking path, a viewing platform, and a hub for culture and nature. Its form and use are inspired by local fauna, culture, and landscape, enriching the visitor’s experience of place.
Jökulhöfði - Glacial Cape
The design draws inspiration from a whale’s dual vision (a whale’s eyes are located on each side of the mammal’s head), thereby offering two perspectives on its environment. Likewise, the main exhibition volume — Glacial Cape — creates shifts in perception: from a distance it blends into the landscape, but closer up it gradually reveals itself.
Visitors approach along a path that cuts through a sea of lava. At first, views are restricted; then, as they draw nearer, the Glacial Cape and its surroundings come into view. The journey culminates in a cultural and educational focal point that opens onto broad vistas of the glacier, land, and sea.
A new approach to building design
A key ambition was to minimise disturbance to the lava terrain and give the impression that the building had landed fully formed. To achieve this, part of the structure cantilevers over the lava edge — a challenging solution in an earthquake-prone area that required a robust structural system. Referred to as the “bow” of the building, the design is inspired by the front of a ship.
Divided into two parts, the building’s design is inspired by the surrounding nature: Glacial Cape houses the exhibition, cafe, and lecture spaces, while Fishbone provides offices and work facilities for the national park staff. Exterior cladding distinguishes the two, with horizontal timber for Glacial Cape and vertical timber for Fishbone.
A central pathway allows visitors to walk through the building, while stairs on either side lead to a rooftop deck with panoramic views of Snæfellsjökull glacier and Hellissandur.
Sustainability and BREEAM principles
The visitor centre was designed and constructed in line with the international BREEAM certification framework, which guided the project’s sustainability strategy. Materials were chosen for their durability and low maintenance, allowing natural weathering without additional treatments. All timber is FSC-certified and fully traceable.
Construction waste was minimised, measured, and monitored, with strict requirements imposed on the contractor. In line with BREEAM’s focus on ecology and community, the centre is also connected to the surrounding park by walking and cycling paths, ensuring easy pedestrian access and reinforcing its integration with the landscape.
