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Iceland Volcano Museum: Celebrating Myvatn's Natural Beauty

The Iceland Volcano Museum, designed by Yuting Zhang, draws inspiration from the stunning surroundings of Myvatn, incorporating the region's volcanic craters, hot springs, and lakes into its circular form. The museum's intention is to create a space that respects and celebrates the natural beauty of the area, allowing visitors to experience the landscape in a new and immersive way.

The museum's circular design seamlessly integrates with the landscape, offering a continuous space that weaves together indoor and outdoor experiences. The elliptical volume and the intersection of two slopes invite visitors to explore and appreciate the natural wonders of Myvatn through various paths, including an interior gallery, an exterior walkable roof, and an outdoor park loop trail showcasing large-scale sculptures and site-specific commissions.

Advanced architectural techniques have been employed to ensure that the museum's design is visually stunning and environmentally sustainable. The visually permeable façade connects the museum to its surroundings while maintaining a sense of enclosure. The louver orientation on the sinuous façade varies constantly to optimize sunlight conservation and resembles the linear patterns of classic Icelandic architecture.

Visitors are drawn into a unique journey through the museum, beginning with a downward ramp that leads to the tranquil interior gallery. They can then explore the walkable roof, which offers panoramic views of Myvatn's breathtaking landscape. The outdoor park loop trail allows visitors to engage with large-scale sculptures and site-specific commissions, further immersing them in the natural environment.

The Iceland Volcano Museum project was realized in 2019-2020 in Iceland and has been awarded the Silver A' Design Award in 2023 for its outstanding expertise and innovation in celebrating the natural beauty of Myvatn. Yuting Zhang, the co-founder of Studio RE+N, is a Harvard GSD graduate, a licensed architect, and a LEED-accredited professional, known for formulating architectural strategy from the urban environment and its ever-changing conditions.

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