The arts centre will form a social linchpin in Akureyri, which has a population of 17,000. The building, which is located on the banks of the fjord,
forms a natural part of the town’s central squares and pedestrian thoroughfares. Its significance as a social linchpin is reflected partly in the
building’s circular form, and partly in the public pedestrian street which cuts through the building.
The arts centre is anchored in Icelandic nature: externally, the building is clad with rods and bars of a special variety of Icelandic granite called
Studlaberg. The robust facade presents an organic rhythm, with high narrow windows positioned according to the daylight needs of the various
functions. The building’s interior also recalls nature; here, the interior pedestrian street is reminiscent of a ravine between rock walls. Openings in
the rock walls provide access to the cultural functions: a concert hall with room for 600 spectators, a multi-purpose hall, and a sculpture
courtyard.
Situated on the border between land and sea, the Centre stands out as a large, radiant sculpture reflecting both sky and harbour space as well as the vibrant life of the city. The
spectacular facades have been designed in close collaboration between Henning Larsen Architects, the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and the engineering companies Rambøll
and ArtEngineering GmbH from Germany.
The Concert Hall and Conference Centre of 28,000 m2 is situated in a solitary spot with a clear view of the enormous sea and the mountains surrounding Reykjavik. The Centre
features an arrival- and foyer area in the front of the building, four halls in the middle and a backstage area with offices, administration, rehearsal hall and changing room in the back of the
building. The three large halls are placed next to each other with public access on the south side and backstage access from the north. The fourth floor is a multifunctional hall with room
for more intimate shows and banquets.
The Institute of Natural History is a public institution, carrying out diverse research and monitoring of nature.
Research is especially focused on botany, ecology, taxonomy geology and zoology. The new building for the Icelandic
Institute of Natural History houses research facilities and offices for 50 scientists and other employees. Furthermore,
the building houses the Institute’s research specimen collections and scientific library.
The design of villa Lóla was an especially enjoyable dialogue process between client and architect. Various ideas of materials, concepts and techniques
where discussed in the process. Inspirations range from Swiss mountains cabins, a sea ranch in Sonoma County in California, and Japanese solutions in
spatial efficiency. Furthermore, the framing of views was an important topic of discussion. The natural surroundings of the site and the fjord of
Eyjarfjördur were key factors to address.
To create a serene family sanctuary that harmoniously connects inhabitants with the surrounding natural environment, while combining the best
sustainable, eco- friendly materials and energy efficient technologies with minimalist architectural design.
Fast food restaurants like Kentucky Fried Chicken are usually known for the standardized look. The architecture in these places seems to never take much
consideration on the specific location and surroundings. In Keflavík the intention was to make a design that would brake with these aspects.
Snæfellsstofa Visitor Center communicates the dignity of the surrounding nature and is closely connected to its immediate surroundings. It attracts
visitors to its unique appearance and simultaneously works as an attractor for indoor and outdoor activities. The building is divided into three parts
so that it can be utilized in different ways, depending on the season.
Location: Skagafjörður fjord
Completion: 2007
Architects: Studio Granda
Hof is a country residence in the Skagafjörður fjord, less than 100km from the Arctic Circle. The spectacle of the
location, its remoteness and special program fuelled a unique rapport between the client, contractor and architect
resulting in a building that is in every respect a direct consequence of that collaboration.
The existing assemblage of buildings on the estate included a house, church, barn and cowshed clustered on a
riverbank. Further inland are recently constructed horse stables. The wide fjörd has a mountainous rim punctuated
with long valleys embracing the cliff islands of Drangey, Málmey and the graphic foreland Þórðarhöfði. The new
residence is slightly removed from the old cluster on raised ground, with each room and space orientated to capture
this magnificent panorama.
The brief required the construction of a single family house on a site within a saturated residential quarter in the outskirts of Reykjavik. The area is located on the
Arnarnes peninsula of Gardabaer a town of 8,000 inhabitants some 10 km from the capital Reykjavik.
Agree on the first one, great example of using natural stones as facades. The KFC looks very cold, but then, its KFC, so i was surprised by its design.
The vision for the Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel was truly holistic, requiring a design that reflects the natural beauty of the region with clarity and
simplicity, in a manner that is environmentally considerate, while appealing to the desire for luxury that attracts the upscale adventurer—a desire
that has been redefined by expressions of luxury that are smaller, more personal and intimate, and eco-responsive.
Location: Reykjavik, Iceland
Architects: PK Arkitektar
Design Team: Pálmar Kristmundsson, Fernando de Mendonça, Anja Schröter and Andrew Burgess
Area: 457 sqm
Year: 2010
This private residence is located in a compact suburban neighborhood. The plot slopes down from street level towards its southwest backyard. The
house was conceived to appear from the street as a singular solid mass; with the entrance hidden from the street. By contrast, the rear side of the
house, with private outdoor areas, has a sense of openness and permeability.
From the architect. Hofsos is a small fishing village in the northern part of Iceland. It consists of small scale traditional
Icelandic houses from the early twenties. The small scale of the surrounding village has been an inspiration in the
design process of the swimming pool. The site of the pool is by the coast on the main street leading to the village.
From the site there is a magnificent view towards the Atlantic Ocean where the island Drangey lies in the horizon. In
the wintertime the distant lights from the village of Saudarkrokur can be seen on the opposite shore. Read more on ArchDaily.
Photos by Gudmundur Benediktsson and Rafn Sigurbjornsson.
From the architect. Reykjavik’s skyline is dominated, not so much by the city’s low-level urban massing,
but more by the backdrop of blue, white and grey mountains in the distance. Therefore, any addition to the
skyline must take its geographical and topographical context into consideration. The building in this case
faces the bay of Reykjavík and the mountain Esja across. Read more on ArchDaily.
Photographs: Hedi Kairouannais, Rafael Pinho, Helge Garke
Mosfellsbær Preperatory High School / A2F arkitektar
Architects:A2F arkitektar Location: Háholt, Mosfellsbær, Iceland Design Team: Aðalheiður Atladóttir, architect FAÍ and Falk Krüger, architect AKT Year: 2014 Photographs: Courtesy of A2F arkitektar Open Competition: First prize, April 2010 Client: The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and the city of Mosfellsbær Sizes: Netto area: 2855 m2, brutto area: 4094 m2, brutto volume: 11.682 m3
From the architect. The first phase of FMOS, the new Upper Secondary School in Mosfellsbaer, provides space for up to 500 pupils. The building is
intertwined with the landscape on the narrow plot, the diagonal lines of the building refer to the hills in the surroundings and one of the roofs turns
into a green ramp to walk about on. Mosfellsbær is a town of approximately 9.000 inhabitants, situated 15 kilometers east of Reykjavik. It is the
hometown of Iceland’s noble prize winner, writer Halldór Laxnes, from whom inspiration is sought: ”… and flowers grow on the roof”* – the
landscape becomes the building which becomes landscape… The 12.000 sqm plot of the school is situated close to the town center and along
Highway nr. 1, which lies through Mosfellsbær. This influences the shape and choice of material of the building, aiming to minimize sound emission.
Welcome to Nordic Office of Architecture. We're an international practice with studios in Norway, Denmark and Iceland, and clients and projects around the world.
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