ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Stöðin: Roadside stop in Borgarnes, Iceland by KRADSJuly 10th, 2012 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: KRADS “Stöðin”, a roadside stop in the Icelandic countryside, is a conjoined restaurant, drive-through, convenience store and gas station. Due to the 65-year long presence of an American army base in the country, Icelandic culture has been shaped by American influences. Stöðin addresses this cultural relationship by incorporating architectural elements from the American diner that contrast the traditional Icelandic building method of in situ cast concrete. The exposed concrete of the exterior bestows the diner with a permanence unknown by its American counterparts creating a friction between its streamlined aesthetics and the rustic frontier. An elongated bar-desk transforms into seating arrangements and characterizes the semicircular restaurant, which offers panoramic views of the scenic fjord Borgarfjörður.  Stöðin in the bright Icelandic summer night
 Stöðin is located by the scenic fjord Borgarfjörður in the western part of Iceland KRADS – PROFILE KRADS is an architectural studio based in Denmark and Iceland. Working as one team, our transnational setup generates a dynamic environment in which we mobilize and re-imagine the Scandinavian culture of architecture and design in an internationally aimed constellation. Founding KRADS in 2006, we have gathered a portfolio of successfully realized projects despite young age, and received critical acclaim and awards for our work which spans through urban planning, building design and product design. Our approach is characterized by clear and imaginative concepts, followed through to realization with a careful attention to detail, while remaining sensitive to the uniqueness of every project. Working with both public and private clients our practice advocates close collaboration between all parties involved in each project, encouraging interdisciplinary networks in a comprehensive approach to the architectural field. KRADS is led by architects; Kristján Eggertsson, Kristján Örn Kjartansson, Kristoffer Juhl Beilman & Mads Bay Møller  Wooden boards from the concrete formwork are used in the illuminated underside of the cantilevered roof KRADS – APPROACH Our approach is predominantly a pragmatic one, in which the aesthetics follow from a careful reading of the particular parameters that define a project’s functional, cultural and geographical framework. A thorough understanding of the specifics of each task includes identifying core questions and challenges as a way of revealing each project’s individual potentials. This becomes the foundation in generating a strong innovation. A shared position is established early on in the project between us, the client and other collaborators. From this common platform, the subsequent steps in the design process are evaluated and discussed through a productive dialogue between the parties involved.  An elongated bar-desk transforms into seating arrangements and characterizes the semicircular restaurant We mobilize the studios in Denmark and Iceland in different ways related to each project. On a practical level, this can for example happen as an exchange of technical knowledge or in a specific workflow setup. Meanwhile our geographical distribution is also an asset in a wider cultural sense. While Denmark has a long architectural history anchored in Scandinavian building tradition, urbanization in Iceland started only in the early 20th century. KRADS activates this dual background in a nuanced perspective on the dynamics between tradition and playful innovation. With every project we participate in, our ambition is to contribute to the improvement of our environment with inspired, original, relevant and responsible designs of high quality.  The restaurant offers panoramic views of the scenic fjord Borgarfjörður  A backlit sign wraps around the entire building  The pavements concrete tiles are stacked to create outdoor seating arrangements in front of the building  Site plan  Floor plan  Facades & section  Location on Route 1, “The National Road”, in Iceland
Proofread by Natasha Gangal Contact KRADS
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