The city of Reykjavík,
Iceland, opened a competition for its bore hole covers around the
city, submitted in early 1991. The geothermal bore holes are each
equipped with a hot water pump. The proposal shown below was for
an aluminum structure, to be prefabricated in a shop and assembled
on-site in 3 parts. It is an expression of these sort of submerged
activities that are a life-line for the Icelandic society, where
bore-holes supply abundant geothermal water to heat up cities
within the country. It is part- building, part sculpture,
expressing the importance of WWII machinery and the industrial
complex as an inseparable influence upon the modern life on
the North Atlantic island.
Exploded axonometric of design;
roof plan and images.
Side elevation. The doorway is
on the left end. The roof is a cap that can be opened in part or
hoisted off for servicing.

Floor plan of the structure.
The streamlining is a result of the programmatic requirements,
with workspace around the pump and waterpipe, and entry at the
farthest point away from the pump.

Model, view from the side

Model showing the roof cap off

Model showing the entire
structure disassembled

This project was worked in New
York City in 1990, all design work by Olafur Thordarson. Misc.
assistance: Hjalti Karlsson.
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