In The Center of the Hearth
Mývatn, Islande, 2024
Centre d’accueil pour une station de ski
Concours pour Buildner
Hearth
The project explores the notions of human connection and gathering spaces through the figure of the circular hearth.
In the central volume of the three cylinders dedicated to welcoming the public, the rest area provides a striking view to the wider landscape, across a fireplace surrounded by a round bench. Answering to this indoor warmth, the outside hearth is the centre of gravity of the plan, gathering people through the days and the seasons.
Landmark
With its clear shapes and bold red color the project intends to build a new landmark in a bare landscape. It becomes an essential and recognisable reference point in the area, an integral part of a path guiding people towards the slopes in between the inhabited volumes and signaling them where to come back at the end of the day. At night, the info point with its translucent skin transforms into a beacon in the dark, a shining light to follow if you are lost.
Living place
Through color, materiality and space, the experience of each room becomes part of a journey in a living, changing, place. The tapestries around the central indoor fireplace reflect local culture and celebrate a space where people meet and exchange, taking possession of the space without restriction in a modern reinterpretation of a communal hall.
1. Garage 2. Info point 3. Hearth
4. Changing room
5. Access stair to viewing deck
De l’ouvert au fermé,
Du translucide au transparent,
On sort vers le cercle enflammé,
Le foyer extérieur qui guide tout en regroupant
Et que l’on retrouve au gré des remontées.
Autour du cercle se retrouvent
Les skieurs qui contemplent
Les rondes traces laissées
Des traits de leurs skis enneigés.
Orientés par les courbes des cylindres,
On s’élance à redessiner
De nouveaux tracés
Sur l’étendue fraichement tassée
Par la dameuse, capitonnée
Dans son rond de tôle rouge,
Miroitant.
Après les descentes,
On monte pour voir
Sans arrêt du regard,
L’horizon et les formes aquarellées
Qui s’offrent à regarder,
Dès la nuit tombée.