FJARAFERÐ
UNDERGRADUATE PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, 2018
Premise
With the aim of preserving the natural integrity of the site while enhancing the experience of Reynisfjara’s powerful and sometimes dangerous environment, the project introduces a series of architectural spaces along the eastern end of the beach. These interventions invite visitors to engage with the landscape through a range of atmospheric experiences—walking within and above the mountain, and even appearing to float above the waves, all made possible through carefully considered architectural design.
Process Diagrams
To enhance the experience of distinct moments along Reynisfjara Beach, the proposed buildings were designed around four core strategies for interacting with the surrounding environment. The Research Center and Learning Spaces would be embedded into the mountain in various ways, creating a strong connection to the landscape. Meanwhile, the Observatory was conceived with multiple levels to evoke sensations of both floating above and being submerged within the natural setting.
Site Plan
“FJARAFERД is not merely a collection of buildings dispersed across the beach—it is envisioned as a journey through the site, offering a deeper understanding of Reynisfjara by encouraging exploration and interaction with the natural forces at play. Achieving this required minimal intervention and subtle additions to the landscape, resulting in moments and perspectives not previously accessible at this iconic Icelandic location.
In addition to being a restrained series of architectural elements, FJARAFERÐ integrates two forms of renewable energy to minimize environmental impact. Certain areas of the project also allow visitors to observe how wave energy is harnessed, offering insight into the relationship between sustainable technology, the environment, and the built form.
Throughout the site, wave force data collectors are strategically placed to measure the power and reach of sneaker waves over time. These instruments are encased in copper, a material chosen for its ability to visually evolve with exposure to the elements—its gradual transformation echoing the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the beach itself.
Wave Energy System within Observatory