The architecture of the guest hub illustrates the push and pull of orthogonal elements to define space. Nestled into the typography of the site, it further immerses the hub’s visitors into their Icelandic experience. The building challenges the perception of a first floor; when entering from the east, the actual first floor is exposed while when entering from the west, the second floor hub appears to be the primary floor. Areas become more social and interactive as one ascends through the hub.

After checking in at the reception desk, guests can relax and orchestrate their trip in the entry lobby lounge with the tourist panel, a fully interactive screen. More social and intimate spaces await on the second floor: the sauna, dining area/bar, a lounge and the terrace. Powered through geared traction, the third floor houses rentable elevating lofts that ascend over 10 meters from the third story. The lofts reflect back to the concept, expressing the customized verticality of configurable space.

The grid used within the concept model drives the remainder of the design for the guest hub.  This grid was the track system in which the pieces were able to travel through.   This grid was then reflected throughout the space and used as a guide for future walls, furniture placement and other elements.  

Various tactics were implemented into the design in order to give guests various settings in which they could experience the Northern lights.  These settings cater to an overall improved guest experience

The mobile units are the most customizable aspect of this Icelandic retreat. While the guest hub allows guests the ability to choose the setting in which they can experience the Icelandic lights, the guest hubs allow each guest to optimize their space in regards to

their traveling size, physical needs and desires. Modular units allow the space to be configured and reconfigured, freely adding and subtracting elements until one creates their perfect hospitality space.

Before I began my first design iteration, I pieced together a research booklet analyzing my initial massing and programming ideas, possible site locations, and user needs.  I organized this after completing a user analysis study, detailing what different visitors would need out of the space.

In addition to the user analysis, I also researched the site approach, sun path and modes of transportation that would benefit users.  Through this analysis, I settled on the concept of pocketing and integrating my guest hub into the site.

This fabric design explores the unity between an environment and the environment’s inhabitants. The arctic fox, also known as the white fox or snow fox, is the only native mammal to Iceland.

Within various silhouettes of the arctic fox, imagery of Iceland’s landscape were placed. This was done to illustrate how the arctic fox and Iceland are one with one another.