NEST

25 NEST A dual architecture where shelter meets observation Young Architects Competitions: Abandoned Airport in Djúpivogur, Iceland | Fall 2025 Team: Ines Bici, Betty Chen

18 18 10 10 1 80° 1 80° 270° 270° 90° 90° 0° 0° 270° 270° 0° 0° 10 10 10 N N N N 0 0 0 20 20 20 5 5 5 2 2 1:250 26 Contextual Map: Fauna Analysis NEST emerges from a close reading of Djúpivogur’s landscape, climate, and ecological rhythms. Grounded in research on local fl ora, fauna, and the sensitivities of the tundra ecosystem, the project balances environmental care with the human desire for comfort, conversation, and quiet observation. The proposal emerges from a close reading of Djúpivogur’s landscape, climate, and ecological rhythms. Grounded in research on local flora, fauna, and the sensitivities of the tundra ecosystem, the project balances environmental care with the human desire for comfort, conversation, and quiet observation. The site's shifting wetlands, migratory patterns, and the fragile habitats that support species such as Arctic Terns, Grey Herons, Puffins, Murres, and Gyrfalcons. Understanding the distinct behaviors of shoreline birds, cliff dwellers, and water-dependent species allowed us to position each observation type with ecological sensitivity. Local materials and climate logics also shaped our architectural response. Precast concrete modular units with site aggregate grounds the structures lightly on the tundra, minimizing foundational intervention in order to protect the tundra. Exterior timber structures take advantage of local material and economic resources, reducing visual and physical disturbance. The resulting system balances ecological respect with the human desire for comfort, learning, and quiet observation. Site Plan Modular Assemblage Diagram

27 At its core, the design explores a duality: shared spaces for learning and gathering, and sheltered, more private spaces for solitary observation. This dual character is expressed materially, through concrete cast with aggregate sand from the site and a lighter timber superstructure. Concrete forms the grounded, insulated zones where visitors can speak softly, learn about local species, and inhabit a sense of collective presence. Above and beyond these, a wooden envelope, transparent through slits and long ribbon windows, creates an elevated, veiled experience where one can watch wildlife while remaining visually discreet within the landscape. Structurally, the concrete cores anchor the timber volumes and cantilever them over the terrain, allowing the entire system to touch the ground lightly and preserve the tundra’s fragile ecology. Each concrete module is designed as part of a reconfigurable system that adapts to varying site conditions along the lagoon’s edge, supporting long-term fl exibility and across-site deployment. The project aims not only to serve Djúpivogur but also to propose a scalable, economical model for observation architecture in similarly sensitive environments, where minimal footprint, modular logic, and ecological respect are fundamental. Render | Raised Observation Point Render | On-the-ground Observation Point Render | Water-level Observation Point