Kaffihus Hringur Caffetteria

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The coffee shop is inspired by the Hverfjall Crater in Iceland. The circular building features an open courtyard and four quadrants for coffee, restrooms, exhibition space, and a covered observation terrace. The structure employs a modular wood frame and sustainable features such as geothermal heat pumps, triple-pane glass, and rainwater capture. It is designed to be minimally staffed and operate off-grid, offering a holistic storytelling experience that complements the Hverfjall hike.

Dimensions & Packaging

The coffee shop has a simple and efficient modular wood frame structure. Large-format storefronts provide courtyard views, and the building's exterior features a charred, dark gray cedar facade. The interior has warm, exposed cedar juxtaposed with rough stone furnishings and copper-toned metal highlights.

Tags

Architecture Design, Landscape Design, Coffee Shop, Iceland, Hverfjall Crater

Production Technology

The coffee shop at Hverfjall Crater is constructed with a modular wood frame structure and features an inward-facing pitched roof. The exterior facade is clad in charred, dark gray cedar that relates to the black basalt grounds of the site. The interior features warm, exposed cedar juxtaposed with rough stone furnishings and copper-toned metal highlights. Sustainable features include the use of underground geothermal heat pumps for electric and heating needs, low-E triple-pane glass, rainwater capture for storage and use, dry composting toilets, and the use of used coffee grounds for fertilizer. The coffee shop is designed to be minimally staffed and operate off-grid with little maintenance, complementing the Hverfjall hike with a comprehensive sensory experience.

Design Challenge

The sustainable and modular coffee shop is inspired by the Hverfjall Crater in Iceland. It offers a respite for hikers before and after their pilgrimage up to the crater's edge, with a circular form and inward-facing pitch roof paying homage to the volcano's structure. Divided into four quadrants, it provides a unique function along the visitor journey: coffee shop, restrooms, exhibition space, and a covered observation terrace. Sustainability features include underground geothermal heat pumps, triple-pane glass, and rainwater capture. The coffee shop is minimally staffed and operates off-grid, offering a holistic storytelling experience that complements the Hverfjall hike.

Research

The Hverfjall Crater inspired a sustainable coffee shop with an open courtyard and four quadrants for coffee, restrooms, exhibition space, and a covered observation terrace. The circular building employs a modular wood frame and sustainable features such as geothermal heat pumps, triple-pane glass, and rainwater capture. With minimal staffing and off-grid operation, it offers a holistic storytelling experience that complements the Hverfjall hike. Offering volcanic soil coffee beans, it creates a comprehensive sensory experience. By reducing environmental impact with sustainable technologies and locally sourced materials, it provides a unique and memorable experience for visitors.

Inspiration

The Hverfjall Crater trek is a microcosm of the Icelandic experience, offering a breathtaking, panoramic landscape. Our coffee shop was inspired by the form and experience of the tuff cone volcano, functioning as a rest stop for weary hikers before and after their pilgrimage up to the crater's edge. The circular form reflects the circumambulation of the crater, while the inward-facing pitch roof pays homage to the volcano's form.

Project Duration

The project started in March 2022 in Iceland.

Operation Flow

The coffee shop is centered around an open courtyard that features an Icelandic garden with views of a volcano in the distance. Divided into four quadrants, the building provides a coffee shop, restrooms, exhibition space, and a covered observation terrace. Visitors can enter the structure at an open corner and move left to use restrooms and seating or right to enter the coffee house. The coffee shop has an elegant coffee bar and a wood-toned interior for hikers to relax with hot coffee and light snacks while enjoying the garden views. Visitors can then move to the exhibit space, which tells the story of the site's geology, and exit onto the covered terrace for expansive views of Lake Myvatn and its surroundings.

Image Credits

Yuting Zhang & Edbert Cheng