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The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland

The Retreat at Blue Lagoon provides a unique way of experiencing Iceland´s ancient bathing culture. The task was to push the boundaries between nature, architecture, and experience, to create a place where guests feel a connection to sublime Icelandic nature. The Retreat is an extension of the main Blue Lagoon complex. Built directly into a 755-year-old lava flow in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, the Retreat encompasses a subterranean spa, a geothermal lagoon, a restaurant, and a 62-suite hotel encircled by the Blue Lagoon's iconic seawaters. From the healing water of the lagoons to the electricity that powers the complex, Blue Lagoon draws its power from the earth's geothermal resources. Wellness at the Retreat is inseparable from the wellspring of renewable energy brought forth at the Svartsengi Resource Park, a global pioneer in the sustainable utilization of geothermal resource streams. Days were spent exploring the site, studying the earth, and letting cracks and fissures reveal how to best lay out the program. Finally, it was manifested as a one-to-one string drawing on the rugged lava field, defining the restrictive boundary that would protect the fragile environment from harm during construction. Interesting lava formations were encountered during earthwork, compelling us to make revisions to our plans in order to incorporate these unexpected features. To a degree, the groundwork was simultaneously final interior finishing and landscaping.