Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Architecture & Design
Iceland's Viking longhouses have succumbed to the ravages of time, but traditional turf-
and-wood techniques were used right up until the 19th century. There is a good example at
Glaumbær (north Iceland).
Guðjón Samúelsson (1887-1950)
,
perhaps one of Iceland's most famous 20th-century
architects, worked to create a distinctive Icelandic style, and you will find his minimalist
buildings all over the country, from Hallgrímskirkja and the nearby swimming pool, Sund-
höllin, in Reykjavík, to Þingvallabær (the farmhouse at Þingvellir) and Héraðsskólinn,
formerly a school in Laugarvatn.
A Guide to Icelandic Architecture
(Association of
Icelandic Architects) looks at 250 Icelandic buildings and designs.
Iceland's coterie of unique designers, artists and architects tend to be Reykjavík based.
Many form collectives and open shops and galleries, full of handmade, beautiful work:
everything from striking bowls made out of radishes to cool couture. Reykjavík's Iceland
Design Centre (
www.icelanddesign.is
) has loads more information, and their DesignMarch
annual event (
www.designmarch.is
)
opens hundreds of exhibitions and workshops to the
public.
For an example of creative Icelandic design, check out the Designers and Farmers Pro-
ject (
www.designersandfarmers.com/en
)
, which united Iceland's locally sourced produce
with the country's penchant for all things streamlined and thoughtfully made.
The Museum Of Design and Applied Art (
www.honnunarsafn.is
)
in Garðabær, 7.5km
south of Reykjavík, showcases the local design scene from the early 20th century to
today.
