The Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant takes advantage of the location and topography to provide expansive views of the Hverfjall Volcano and the iconic Mývatn Nature Baths. The project is conceived as two masses forming an outdoor space that hosts a variety of functions. A two-storey bar building submerges into the ground, whereas a greenhouse massing sits on top of the topography like an artifact, identifying the project as a landmark and tourist destination. The experiential journey of the building begins as visitors are met by a retaining wall that leads people from the parking lot to the building entrance. Icelandic architecture by carefully selecting building materials that are local and sustainable such as timber, rammed earth and reused materials. Soil from the site is used to create the outer rammed earth facades of the building to increase warmth in the winter and keep the building cool in the summer.
