We leave the Volcanic landscape undisturbed and allow the lifted building to gently touch the slope for easy access and orient it towards the sublime views over the southern volcanic landscape.
One diamond-like super-structure combines the greenhouse and the public functions. The building turns towards the big view, with the viewing line forming a crack through the volume that divides the high-tech greenhouse from the public functions.
The entrance is located at a high point of the hill, from there the base plateau detaches from the ground and hoovers above the ground offering spectacular views of the landscape. All the services and technical spaces are located in a compact, mystical, reflective volume underneath it. The outdoor public route guides the visitors via the entrance square, along the translucent greenhouse on one side and glazed shop and restaurant on the other, towards the big open viewing deck, a public square, which terraces down and reconnects with the landscape. A place to enjoy the view, the fresh air, the sun and a good cup of coffee.
The Green Diamond Shop is located on the entrance square. Here you can purchase the vegetables grown in the greenhouse and find other products and services from local companies.
The Green Diamond Restaurant, the multi-functional Green Diamond Hall and the staff entrance share a generous common foyer at the end of the entrance square where all the groups of users cross ways and interact.
The Green Diamond Hall is oriented towards the hill. It has an meditative, intimate atmosphere, dramatic views of the drop in the landscape and a direct and tactile experience of the outdoors. The fold-able wall allows the space to merge with restaurant and foyer during big events as weddings, Midsummer or New Year’s parties, exhibitions and festivals.
The Green Diamond Restaurant gently steps down towards the spectacular view of the The Hverfjall Volcano, the Lake Mývatn and the The Mývatn Nature Baths. An open arrangement of tables provides everyone with the breathtaking views. On a warm summer day the south elevation can be opened merging it with the outdoors. Intimate sitting alcoves surrounded by greenery are fitted into the diamond shaped bay windows of the side elevation.
The mirroring aluminum covered box underneath the plateau functions as an engine room for what happens above. It contains all the staff facilities, kitchen, technical spaces for heating and energy installations, climate and humidity control for the greenhouse, storage and waist segregation. The delivery and pick-up trucks can access it via the parking area.
