Blue Lagoon Clinic

The Clinic is the latest addition to the hugely successful Geothermal Spa Complex at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. The healing power of the geothermal seawater with its unique blend of minerals and algae is the foundation of the whole operation The building houses the Clinic and hotel accommodation on a single level. The clinical and service areas of the building are adjacent to the lagoon whereas the hotel rooms overlook the lava field. The rooms are spacious, have large windows with good views and each room has a private patio. The hotel wing forms an enclosed courtyard garden that provides a counterpoint to the wilderness of the lava field outside the building.

The Clinic provides treatments for hotel guests as well as day patients. A white wall runs through the building, leading visitors from the entrance to the lagoon, the colour referring to the silica in the lagoon's geothermal seawater. The wall divides areas open to all those seeking treatment and those reserved for hotel guests only. The siting of the Clinic was carefully chosen with regard to the bathing lagoon. The lagoon flows through the natural hollows in the lava landscape and around a hillock which separates it into two bathing areas & one next to the Clinic and one further away, closer to nature.

A combination of heavy and lightweight construction methods are used in the building. Pre-fabricated concrete wall elements, insulated on the outside and with a bespoke external render made from black lava from the site, are used along with concrete cast in-situ as well as a lighter steel frame structure supporting large oak-framed double glazed window units. One of the concerns when designing the building was for it to sit in harmony with nature. The different parts of the building vary in height in rhythm with the uneven lava field and the black lava walls and the coarse lava crumbs covering the roof establish a strong material connection to the site. As well as giving a desirable look, the lava is an ideal windbreaker. Careful consideration has been given how to maximise daylight within the building in order to make the most of the unique quality of the natural light in this northerly location. The design and selection of materials emphasize a bright, warm appearance, where the guests enjoy the energy from the unique atmosphere and environment of the Blue Lagoon.