Iceland
“Our team is motivated to design everything from the origin – 0 – exploring contemporary design in a digital realm, based on oriental aesthetics. There is nothing, and therefore there is space for growth; a fertile ground zero,” says 00Group, explaining their unique name.
Designed by Xu and Gang Liu and the Shanghai-based studio 00group, the project is called “anchor of the plates” and like the name suggests, the scheme is articulated by a pair of ‘anchors’ bridging the two different tectonic plates.
This proposal for a competition to create a new landmark for Iceland.
The competition was organized by bee breeders calling for an observation tower and small visitor center on a site overlooking Vogagjá – a spectacular ground fissure resulting from seismic activity.
The unique geography phenomenon of Iceland is a manifestation of the primitive earth land.
Under the force of traction, the massing is squeezed into blocks organically.
The skinny rope-way bridge connects the two banks, reflecting delicate machine aesthetics.
The systematic gears link to interior space.
If the size of the fissure increases, a system of gears controlling the bridge can automatically adjust the appropriate distance, with the accompanying data being displayed inside the interior hall.
As the cracks increase, the gear system of the rope-way can automatically adjust the appropriate distance and reflect the data to the centre gear in the interior hall.
The rocky massing also references the naturally unrestrained landforms of Iceland, while the interior design takes on a tech-savvy, modern-day cave aesthetic.
Sunlight and scenery flow between and tread the edges of the cracked openings, as visitors are encouraged to sit upon warm stairs, immersing themselves in tours and talks that bear witness to the significance of the natural fissure.
These steps lead up to the observation deck at the back of the boat, where a 360-degree panoramic view of the mountain peak is provided.
The swaying ropeway going across the fissure gives an ethereal, thrilling, and sensitive experience of the site, with the two towers looming and emanating energy at a distance.
Overall, 00group’s observation tower is shaped to be subtle yet powerful; its dramatic form indicating the significance of the site.
Project: The Anchor of the Plates Observation Tower
Architects: 00group
Design Team: Jing Xu and Gang Liu
Client: Bee Breeders
