Architecture of Iceland
[1] The architecture of Iceland is mainly low-rise, with many low tower blocks and two- or three-storey buildings with pitched roofs predominating.
Houses and smaller municipal buildings were traditionally wooden-framed, and clad in wooden planks or corrugated metal.
The main room of the house was known as the skáli, consisting of a central open hearth and two raised platforms, known as set.
This was possibly in response to a deteriorating climate, and as timber supplies dwindled, people went back to living in the one-room baðstofa layout.
Around 1791, under Danish interest, a gable-fronted design (burstabær) was proposed by Guðlaugur Sveinsson,[5] which became widespread in the south of Iceland where the climate is warmer.
[6] By the 20th century, the design was evolving still, seeing such additions as the framhús, a kind of timber porch at the front entrance of buildings.
[3] There is some evidence to suggest a Celtic influence in early Icelandic architecture in the form of stone roundhouses and sheepcotes, however much of this is still shaded in obscurity.
[3] Like many other areas in the world, Iceland would often pull ideas from previous architectural styles, a method called historicism.
Icelandic stone buildings from this period were inherently similar to those in Denmark, save the use of timber to clad the roofs instead of slate.
The first stone churches appeared in around in the 18th century, quite late considering the significant lack of timber on the island (even access to driftwood was not widespread).
[11] With the movement towards independence from Denmark and the implementation of Icelandic free trade, more diverse architectural styles and influences were brought to the island.
[11] As the 20th century dawned, Swiss chalet style architecture was brought indirectly to Iceland under Norwegian influence.
[12] Characteristically urban buildings began to emerge, such as Austurstræti 16 (designed by Guðjón Samúelsson) which were concrete constructions.
[12] The functionalist architectural style arrived in Iceland in the 1930s, brought by younger architects who would later have great influence on the urban planning of the country.
Early functionalist buildings in the country resembled those elsewhere in Europe, but conventional interior layouts being their differentiating feature.
After World War II, larger houses with higher roofs began to appear, with a variety of decorative features marking a departure from the functionalist aesthetic.
[12] In addition to new styles and influences arriving, a sentiment for the conservation of existing older buildings was founded, with newfound interest in traditional handicrafts.
Criticism of modern Icelandic architecture appeared at this time, pointing out energy-wasting designs and drawing from traditional building techniques such as steep pitched roofs to find solutions.
Many of these projects were proposed during the boom period before the financial crisis, including Iceland's first skyscrapers, the Höfðatorg and Smáratorg towers.
