Víðsýni is a coffee shop located at the base of the Hverfjall volcano in northern Iceland. Iceland is well known for its northern, rather severe landscapes dominated by volcanoes, rocks, and glaciers. Víðsýni in Icelandic means panoramic view, specifically a view that stretches on, not simply photogenic. The architecture of Iceland is mainly low-rise. Houses and smaller municipal buildings were traditionally wooden-framed and clad in wooden planks or corrugated metal. Víðsýni’s structure is inspired by the traditional Chinese vernacular dwelling “Tulou” (a unique kind of rural building with rammed earth and in a wooden framework, often of a circular configuration surrounding a central shrine), and the physical Hverfjall volcano’s contextual condition. The design of Víðsýni references the circular shape of the volcano, which represents a language of unity and bonding.

Víðsýni has two floors as a visitor center. Both floors get abundant solar exposure and keep the interior free of the winds. The rooftop of this project has solar panels that help the building reduce the cost of electricity. Still, more importantly, it saves energy as a green building.

Víðsýni is not only a visitor center that serves the basic needs of guests from all over the world but also a shelter for people to have a coffee
and food while walking around with all the historical information panels of Hverfjall volcano. After the tourists get their coffee, they have many options for relaxing or entertaining. Passing through the coffee shop on the right side, tourists can sit in the window seating area to see the entire Hverfjall volcano. The outdoor terrace is located on the second floor, and people have access to the deck by passing bird wing stairs to the second floor.

The second floor serves as the volcano exhibition zone. An abundant skylight connects the exhibition space visually and physically. The space and the environment correspond, making this exhibition space serve a meditation purpose.

The building is designed with thermal-resistant materials, which can resist heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind. The interior space is painted in white zero VOC paint with a dove wing stair design. This stair is located in the center of Víðsýni, which gets the visitors’ attention immediately when they enter the building. The dove stair is a stair that represents peace and freedom; it extends to the second floor that leads the visitors to the outdoor terrace for a more spectacular view of the volcano.

Like every place else on Earth, the Icelanders used and still use their local rock. In this country, athwart the rift zone between the North American and Eurasian plates, which translates to a somewhat limited selection. Basalt is everywhere, particularly in lovely lava flows that cover hundreds of square miles. Using basalt as the construction material lowers the costs of the building but also mimics the landscape of the Hverfjall volcano.

Solar Technology
Climate change remains a foremost concern in global politics, economics, and scientific research, particularly as it pertains to the architecture and construction industries. Renewable energy is part of a 21st-century sustainability paradigm that responds to climate change and environmental degradation, strengthening the momentum for global energy transformation.
Mitrex solar systems can be integrated within a building envelope to generate power while simultaneously enhancing an architecture project’s spatial, aesthetic, and functional qualities. Mitrex solar glass can be integrated into windows and skylights. Solar Roof systems come in a range of UV-stable, fade-resistant colors and patterns in keeping with design needs. Helpfully, no specialized installation is required. Once installed, their elements require no maintenance because they are treated with an anti-soiling coating that reduces the accumulation of dust and dirt on surfaces. From this perspective, renewable energy systems can be integrated as functional, aesthetic, and cost-effective elements within buildings.