Pálmadóttir and her team at s.ap architects have unveiled the details of Lavaforming, a groundbreaking project that presents a speculative future where controlled lava flows build cities, showcasing the enormous potential of this renewable material for sustainable architecture. The project is part of Iceland’s national pavilion at the 19th International Architecture Exhibition—The Venice Biennale, held in 2023. Lavaforming is a multidisciplinary project that explores the possibilities of using lava as a building material, leveraging experiments conducted in a lab setting to shape lava into smooth, glass-like, black bricks and columns. These durable building blocks offer a path forward for sustainable architecture in volcanically active regions such as Iceland, where traditional building materials pose significant environmental concerns. Experimental Tests
The project involves several experimental tests, including re-melting and pouring lava into molds, to create this unique building material. The results are highly promising, as the team has successfully produced black bricks and columns that demonstrate remarkable durability and sustainability.
- Basalt as a Mono-Material
- Lava Cooling in Controlled Conditions
These tests have examined the properties of basalt, which is a common type of rock found in volcanic regions, and have explored its potential as a mono-material in construction. The results offer a promising path forward for what conditions are needed to melt basalt and produce material strong enough to be used as a building material.
| Test | Method | Results |
| Basalt Properties Test | Re-melting and pouring basalt into molds | Production of black, glass-like bricks and columns |
| Lava Cooling Test | Controlling temperature and humidity | Observation of basalt’s behavior under various conditions |
Lavaforming asks the question: “What would natural architecture on earth look like, free from harmful mining and non-renewable energy extraction?” The project probes questions such as, “What does a city made of lava look like? How has this building material transformed human’s relationship to nature and the built environment?”
Collaboration and Animation
Lavaforming is a multidisciplinary project that brings together a team of experts from various fields, including architecture, design, writing, and music. The project features a short, speculative film that imagines a city infrastructure made entirely of shaped lava. The film is created by a team consisting of writer Andri Snær Magnason and musician, designer, and technologist Jack Armitage, who join s.ap architects in creating this innovative project. ““Lava presents an enormous opportunity as a sustainable building material,” said Arnhildur Pálmadóttir, curator, architect, founder, and creative director of Lavaforming. “Our experiments demonstrate how we could one day create structures, and even entire cities, with lava. In our short film, we take the next step, imagining the year 2150 and a city made of lava. The project probes questions such as, ‘What does that city look like? How has this building material transformed human’s relationship to nature and the built environment? How has the paradigm for building shifted?’”
“Iceland’s Minister of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education, Logi Einarsson, said,” “As nations across the globe adapt to changing weather patterns in a warming world, it is essential that we involve architects, artists, and designers in conversations about solutions. Projects like Lavaforming allow us to explore groundbreaking ideas for designing with, rather than against, nature, which have enormous potential to be scaled and adopted widely. This project is an excellent example of the forward-thinking solutions being piloted by Iceland’s creative community to address the challenges of our time.”
Lavaforming is the first time Iceland has participated in the International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia with an open call. The Icelandic Pavilion is commissioned by Iceland Design and Architecture, which facilitates and promotes design of all kinds as a vital aspect of the future Icelandic society, economy, and culture, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs in Iceland. Conclusion
Lavaforming is a groundbreaking project that showcases the enormous potential of lava as a sustainable building material. By exploring the possibilities of controlled lava flows and the properties of basalt, this project paves the way for a new era in sustainable architecture. With its multidisciplinary approach and innovative use of materials, Lavaforming demonstrates the possibilities of harnessing the power of nature to create a better future for our planet.
