New visitor centre opens in Reykjavik

A new visitor centre has been opened overlooking the site of the new Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre currently under construction in Reykjavik.

Located on the top floor of Hafnarstræti 20 at Lækjartorg square, the visitor centre houses an exhibition detailing the design and construction process of the Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre due to open in early 2009.

Showcasing scale models of the building and its intricate glass façade, designed by prominent artist Olafur Elisasson, the exhibition reveals how the city centre will look post construction. Highlights include a “light wall” that projects a 24-hour recording of Icelandic summer light, compressed into a one-hour installation and a ten metre panoramic window looking over the construction site. From this elevated platform visitors can follow the building work taking place below.

Iceland’s new National Conference and Concert Centre complex will include a 1,800 capacity concert hall, a 750-seater conference hall and a rehearsal hall for up to 450 performers. The structure will also encompass a top floor restaurant, cafes, offices, smaller conference and rehearsal rooms, as well as exhibition space. A glass bricked pedestrian street will link the main Conference and Concert halls to a new 250 room luxury hotel and Lækjatorg Square.

New digital images of the dramatic design and online video footage of Olafur Eliasson explaining his design concept have recently been released and can be viewed at Portusgroup.is.

For more information about Icelandic National Concert and Conference Centre, log on to Gestastofa.is