Museum of the Volcanoes of Iceland,
design: Studio RE+N
Inthe north of Iceland, in the harsh yet mesmerizing landscape of Lake Mývatn, the Museum of Icelandic Volcanoes project , designed by Studio RE+N, has been created. It is intended to become a tribute to the power of the volcanic landscape and its constant transformation. Honored with the Architecture MasterPrize 2023 in the Conceptual Architecture category, the project is a manifesto of contemporary thinking about the relationship between man and nature - without domination, without competition, but in the spirit of coexistence.
Museum of Icelandic Volcanoes - project visualization
© Studio RE+N
Architecture inscribed in the rhythm of nature
The Mývatn region, known for its lava fields, craters and hot springs, became the architects' starting point for creating a building that is part of the landscape rather than an addition to it. The museum's roof, with its gently sloping form, rises from the ground like a natural hill. The building blends into the topography, emphasizing its sculpture rather than disrupting it. The result is a structure that bridges two worlds - human and natural. From the outside it looks like a piece of land, while from the inside it opens up to exhibition spaces and viewing terraces. There is no boundary between the building and the landscape - there is continuity. It's architecture that breathes along with its surroundings, responding to light, wind and weather changes. For RE+N, this is not the first project based on the idea of "reading the place." In their philosophy, architecture is a form of environmental storytelling - a material translation of the non-verbal in nature. At Mývatn, this storytelling takes a particularly expressive form: rawness becomes poetry.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - a projection of the site
© Studio RE+N
Form inspired by geology
The lump of the museum draws inspiration from the geological history of Iceland. The elliptical shape brings to mind a crater. The references to the Hverfjall and Dimmuborgir lava fields here are not only aesthetic, but also symbolic - a dialogue between the Earth's past and modern man. In the center of the building is an inner courtyard with a pool reflecting the sky. This tranquil spot is the axis of the entire composition, contrasting with the dynamic form of the block. Water, which in Icelandic culture often symbolizes purity and rebirth, introduces an element of reflection - both literal and metaphorical.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - interior visualization
© Studio RE+N
Architecture in motion
The plan of the museum was based on a ring layout. Exhibition spaces, research facilities and offices are arranged around a central pool, creating a fluid, non-hierarchical circulation system. Visitors move through the facility without an imposed route - they can explore it at the rhythm of their own experience.
The lump has been formed from two sloping, interpenetrating ellipses, giving the impression of continuous movement. The roof, which serves as a viewing path, opens up to the Mývatn skyline, culminating in a terrace from which one can observe volcanic formations and the changing light of day. Depending on the season, the building seems almost alive - once it blends with the snowy landscape, at other times it contrasts with the blackness of the lava fields.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - visualization of the bird's eye view
© Studio RE+N
Three paths of discovery
A visit to the museum is planned as a sequence of three related experiences. The first is the descent ramp at the entrance - a symbolic moment of transition from the everyday to the natural world. The second is the outdoor walking roof, which becomes an observation deck and a place for contemplation. The third - an outdoor park loop, or outdoor gallery, where art and landscape merge into a single narrative. Each of these paths tells a different story, but together they form a cohesive ritual of exploration. The museum does not dictate how a visitor should go - it allows the visitor to choose for themselves how they want to experience the place.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - a model of an elliptical block
© Studio RE+N
Facade, light and matter
The museum's outer shell is dynamic, almost pulsating. The facade with its louver system reacts to the direction of the sun, filtering light and shadows, so that the building appears to change throughout the day. The pattern of the louvers refers to traditional motifs of Icelandic wooden architecture, reinterpreted here in a minimalist form. Materials were chosen to create a natural dialogue with the surroundings. Glass, stone and metal harmonize with the colors of the landscape - the gray of the rocks, the brown tones of the earth and the cool blue of the sky. This is architecture that doesn't need an external effect to impress - its strength is in its coherence and respect for place.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - cross section
© Studio RE+N
The architecture of experience
RE+N's design is not just a museum - it's a space that teaches mindfulness. Every element, from the slope of the roof to the rhythm of the façade openings, was planned to emphasize the relationship between man and nature. Visitors don't so much "watch" the building as experience it. Architecture here becomes a tool of cognition - a way to see what usually escapes the eye. This is also an example of a sustainable approach to design. Minimal interference with the site, the use of natural materials and efficient light management make the museum in tune with the spirit of the place - and with the rhythm of nature, which it wants to protect, not exploit.
Iceland Volcanoes Museum - visualization of the massing
© Studio RE+N
Studio RE+N - architecture with the essence of place
Studio RE+N, an interdisciplinary office with offices in Shanghai, Lishui and New York, led by Yuting Zhang, Pu Zhang and Shimin Cao, is behind the project. The team is known for projects that redefine the concept of context, giving it an emotional dimension. Their architecture is not just a form, but a process: observing, listening and interpreting a place. The studio has won numerous international awards, including the A" Design Award, the Muse Design Award, the Architecture & Design Collection Award and the London Design Award. In 2023, their work was presented at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
The Volcano Museum of Iceland - interior visualization
© Studio RE+N
A space that speaks
The Museum of Volcanoes of Iceland is an example of how contemporary architecture can transcend the boundaries of function and aesthetics to become a space of experience. It is a building that does not compete with nature, but allows you to understand it. Implicit in its form is a story about the earth - the one that creates and the one that lasts.
Elaborated: Anastazja Gibas
Illustrations provided courtesy of Studio RE+N.
