The research centre
The iclandic Rintala Eggertsson Architects recently unveiled their proposal for the Tomas Sæmundsson Centre in Rangarvallasysla, Iceland, where the founder of the icelandic independence movement was born 200 years ago.
The building is composed of two parts: A visitors centre, with a small museum function and a lecture space and a small research centre, an exposed tower with working facilities and accommodation for one person.
The vistiors centre
Here some words of the architects:
By placing the centre in Rangarvallasysla, according to the wishes of our clients, we felt that it was important to create a connection to the environment, where Tomas Sæmundsson spent most of his life. Our attention was drawn towards two places in Rangarvallasysla which were important in his life; Kufholl, where he was born and Breidabolsstadur, where he spent the last years of his life. These places are very different. One is on a flat river delta close to Markarfljot and the other one is in a hillside close to Hvolsvollur and the mountain Thrihyrningur. Having two different functions to deal with, we decided to divide them between the two places. The research centre was place at Kufholl and the visitors centre was placed at Breidabolsstadur. The two parts consist each of a main space and an entrance space. The main spaces are positioned on the same level above the ground, facing each other. In that way one is able to obtain a physical connection to two important places in the area, and a mental connection between the two.
The visitors centre
Sketch
