GREEN DIAMOND
Super-Structure Integrates Visitors Center and High-Tech Greenhouse
Restaurant, greenhouse & supporting facilities, 3925 sqm, Hverfjall Volcano, Iceland
The Green Diamond Center for Food
The Green Diamond is a diamond-like structure in the spectacular Iceland landscape that merges a visitors center, restaurant, exhibition and event space and a high-tech greenhouse. In the building food is produced, sold and consumed.
Spatial Concept
The public spaces and the greenhouse structure are placed on a large hovering plateau. From the hill’s peak the plateau detaches from the slope. At the other end it slopes down to connect to the rugged landscape.
On the plateau an outdoor public space runs through the entire building with the translucent greenhouse on one side and the glazed shop, restaurant and flexible event space on the other side. In this exterior space a dramatic route leads visitors from the entrance square through the building and along it’s intriguing facilities to the stepped terraces with stunning landscape views.
The mirror like aluminum box beneath the plateau serves as an engine room for the spaces above. It contains staff facilities, kitchens, technical spaces and delivery points.
A Sustainable Building Which Provides Food and Energy
For the restaurant the greenhouses provide the food, grown in the fertile volcanic soil. The greenhouse uses diffused glass and a heat-harvesting system that meets about 50% of its heat needs. The roof features diffused insulated glass with anti-reflection coatings and lenses that focus sunlight onto black-painted tubes filled with water. The generated heat provides energy which is stored in saltwater batteries. The remaining diffused light improves light distribution, reducing the need for screens and artificial lighting in winter. More energy is provided by a geothermal heat pump and solar panels. The building can be fully reassembled and reused, following the cradle-to-cradle principle.
Team: Majka Mikulska, Edwin Larkens, Jovita Laurukėnaitė, Filippo Gelpi, Paul Geurts, Maciej Krol, Isacco Angelin
Studio Larkemika in collaboration with Most Architecture
Status: competition 2022
Copyright Studio Larkemika & Most Architecture