On the Balbek Bureau page reported, that the studio team split into two groups to create two concepts.
The cinema pavilion was conceived in the Grjótagjá cave region near Lake Mývatn in the north of Iceland. The caves of the region are located on the tectonic fault between Europe and America. They became the filming location of Game of Thrones in the scene where Jon Snow and Ygritte fell in love for the first time.
The main task for the architects was to convey the peculiarities of the character and history of Icelandic cinema in a small cinema for 50 people, and not to disturb the natural landscape.
"Diving"
In the "Immersion" project from a group of architects with Slava Balbek, Alyona Trygub and Natalia Stukonog, a pavilion is assembled from three volumes, which represent three different functions. The cinema and cafe are sunk into the ground, and the upper part, made of flat stone blocks, merges with the ground.
Image: Balbek Bureau
Visitors are greeted by a spacious lobby, where an exhibition dedicated to the history of Icelandic cinema is presented. The first thing guests see are the exhibits placed behind the glass walls. Opposite the entrance is a cloakroom, a gift shop and a staff area.
Image: Balbek Bureau
The building was developed with minimal impact on the environment - all materials used are of local origin. The cinema pavilion literally immerses visitors in the local soil, as it stands on bare earth, stones and moss.
Image: Balbek Bureau
"Hidden Paradise"
The second group, represented by Slava Balbek and Victoria Savchenko, created the project "Hidden Heaven". It has a simple rectangular shape, divided into two blocks. The section shows a hard outer layer of concrete that smoothly sinks into the ground.
Image: Balbek Breau
One of the sunken ends of the building will house a cinema with a projection room, while the other corner will house the café's kitchen and technical facilities. The roof of the building has a rafter structure covered with a natural lawn.
Image: Balbek Breau
"Hidden Haven" is based on the theme of human isolation and loneliness, the search for comfort and warmth - a theme that is often present in cinema. The pavilion is designed as a safe haven (similar to the nearby caves), as a reliable structure in the middle of a harsh landscape and, above all, as a welcoming place where filmmakers share common stories," said the jury of the Iceland Movie Pavilion competition.
Image: Balbek Breau
The winner the "Slow Field" project by American architects China Kar and Daron Riesgo became the winner of the competition.
See also:
"Timeless project": architects designed a modern house in the historic center of Mechelen, Belgium
Reflection of the sparkling waters of the Bosphorus: the Museum of Modern Art opened in Istanbul