Icelandic observatory hotel

Master course assignment
Assignment: Design a hotel which can highlight alternative ways of exploiting tourism and natural resources of the beaten path on Iceland  
Teachers: Børre Skodvin, Lars Hamran 

The Icelandic highlands form a seemingly eternal flat, desert landscape, only interrupted by the occasional volcano rising above the horizon; a perfect place to observe the stars. The project consists of seven compact, low-cost cabins, which act together as a star observatory for interested guests. Built around a square, the buildings form a small, protected space in an otherwise completely flat and open landscape.

Each cabin is completely closed towards the interior square and painted in black. This is the observation room, where one can observe the stars protected from the harsh wind and any light pollution from the hotel itself. Transition between the observatory space and the interior goes through light locks, to maintain light discipline. 

The plan is structured around an open arcade, allowing dry transition between the cabins. The guests sleep in a series of sleeping niches, or alcoves, emulating the social experience of sleeping together in one larger room, as with hostels or the Norwegian “koie”, whilst giving guests the option of retreating to themselves, or from the midnight sun.  

The course was closely focused on architectural detailing and discussions on how to achieve much with little. 

The site is virtually desolate, except for a small farm and a fishing lake in close vicinity.

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