The architecture of Iceland
Architecture of Iceland
The architecture of Iceland draws from Scandinavian influences and, traditionally, was influenced by the lack of native trees on the island. As a result, grass- and turf-covered houses were developed. Later on, the Swiss chalet style became a prevailing influence in Icelandic architecture as many timber buildings were constructed in this way. Stone and later concrete were popular building materials, the latter e…
Full Answer
How did Icelanders make their homes?
Jan 19, 2020 · 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. Often they were painted in traditional bright colours.
What is Iceland's architecture like?
The timber structure of the house is covered with turf bricks and a roof. Why do houses in Iceland have grass roofs? The thick turf walls and roof were designed to keep the cold out, making the turf houses well-insulated. Which was essential during the long cold winters of Iceland. At night, the inhabitants gathered in the baðstofa (sitting ...
Why are there grass-roofed houses in Iceland?
Aug 21, 2019 · Turf houses or torfbaeir as they are called in Icelandic were largely made up from flat stones, wood, turf and soil. A wooden frame would firstly be built, limiting the need for wood greatly. Secondly was the turf that would be laid down, often in a herringbone style and in two layers to seal the insulation.
What kind of wood did Iceland use?
Turf provides great insulation for buildings compared to those that are made of timber or stone alone. There was also a lack of oak trees in Iceland, which would have been the preferred timber of Scandinavian settlers. The abundance of turf however, made …
What was the name of the house in Iceland?
The main room of the house was known as the skáli , consisting of a central open hearth and two raised platforms, known as set. Similar designs of longhouse have been found across Scandinavia, the Faroes and the Scottish isles, as well as Greenland.
What is the architecture of Iceland?
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. Often they were painted in traditional bright colours.
What is the influence of Swiss chalet style in Iceland?
Later on, the Swiss chalet style became a prevailing influence in Icelandic architecture as many timber buildings were constructed in this way. Stone and later concrete were popular building materials, the latter especially with the arrival of functionalism in the country. Contemporary architecture in Iceland is influenced by many sources, ...
Is Iceland still making grass houses?
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. Today grasshouses are no longer constructed in Iceland (construction stopped in the mid-20th century), and the few remaining examples are generally open to public as open-air museums.
What was the first building in Iceland?
Stone buildings. Many high-quality stone buildings were erected in the 18th century, the first being a mansion on Viðey, made completely out of Icelandic stone. These were some of the first buildings in Iceland to be constructed by architects, who were from Denmark, as these buildings were constructed for the Danish authorities.
Who was the first Icelandic architect?
The material has shaped Icelandic architecture from this period. With the arrival of concrete came the first qualified Icelandic architect, Rögnvaldur Ólafsson, who had at first designed in the Swiss chalet style but soon moved on to working in concrete.
What is the largest stone church in Iceland?
Hólakirkja, in Hólar, is the largest stone church constructed in the country. With the arrival of Christianity in Iceland in 1000 AD, construction began on numerous impressive churches.
What is the grass house in Iceland?
Iceland’s grass-roofed houses are undoubtedly a part of the country’s persona and heritage. Through the rough climate and isolation, the turf houses kept the Vikings warm and throughout 11 hundred years until the houses, you might see today were built. Iceland might not have many ancient and grand buildings to show off like most ...
Is Iceland a good place to build a turf house?
Furthermore was Iceland packed with suitable turf and therefore an excellent opportunity to build turf houses. Not only did the turf offer premium insulation exceeding wood or stone but it was also much easier to come by. This resulted in almost every single farm in Iceland being made up of turf houses.
How much of Iceland was forested?
If you visit Iceland today it is quite hard to believe that once the country was largely covered in trees. In fact, research has shown that over 30% of Iceland was forested during its settlement years. In particular, was birch dominant just as it is today.
Is Iceland covered in trees?
If you visit Iceland today it is quite hard to believe that once the country was largely covered in trees. In fact, research has shown that over 30% of Iceland was forested during its settlement years. In particular, was birch dominant just as it is today. So, even though our neighboring Scandinavian countries used oak to build their homes Icelanders would use their darling birch.
Did Iceland use oak trees?
So, even though our neighboring Scandinavian countries used oak to build their homes Icelanders would use their darling birch. However, with limited resources and people thinking to short ahead the trees were quickly used up. Sadly, this would take centuries to heal and cause land erosion all over the island.
Where is Keldur in Iceland?
Keldur in South Iceland. Here you will find the original. Keldur is the oldest turf house in Iceland and is beautifully well kept. It is where one of the characters in the famous Brennu-Njals Saga lived (Ingjaldur Hoskuldsson) which only adds to its historic value.
Where is the oldest turf house in Iceland?
Here you will find the original. Keldur is the oldest turf house in Iceland and is beautifully well kept. It is where one of the characters in the famous Brennu-Njals Saga lived (Ingjaldur Hoskuldsson) which only adds to its historic value. Later on, the family of Oddi including Jon Loftsson who raised the infamous Snorri Sturluson came to recite at Keldur.
Where is the oldest turf house in Iceland?
Close to Mt Hekla is where you’ll find Keldur . This is arguably the oldest turf house in Iceland and, because of its size and the thickness of its grass exterior, one of the cutest. At Keldur, there’s so much more to see than just turf houses. Unique features such as a mill house and an old hall have also been well preserved, giving visitors a vivid picture of historical daily life in this area.
What is a turf house made of?
The foundations of a turf house are made of lava stones. These are formed when hot lava erupts and then cools on the surface of the earth. It’s a kind of natural brick and it’s ideal for construction as it’s light and offers high heat and sound insulation.
Where to find a turf house?
Arguably the most accessible way to find a turf house, Árbær is a district located in the south west of the country in Reykjavik. The Árbær Open Air Museum is where you’ll find its delightful turf house.
Where is Selid in Skaftafell?
Getting closer to the oasis that is Skaftafell National Park, you’ll find Selid. Beautifully perched on a hill overlooking the river, these houses are relatively modern, dating back to the early 20 th Century. In the 1970s, they were restored by the National Museum.
The Vikings in Iceland
The Vikings came from a cold region of northern Europe called Scandinavia. Although today we think of them as a unique group, the Viking tribes came from three large territories. These were Denmark, Norway, and Sweden; the Danish group is the largest.
What were the Viking houses like?
Viking houses usually have an elongated shape. The length varies, although the width is usually not more than 5 meters. Inside, they had wooden beams that supported the ceiling and rows of wooden pillars along the walls to support ceiling beams' weight.
What is a Viking house called?
Viking houses are called "longhouse," and that's precisely the description of what typical Viking houses were like. This elongated shape allowed the house to have several rooms and multiple functions in one place. There was an area for animals, for grain, and one for people.The animal area or barn used to be at one end of the house.
Viking houses in Iceland: Turf Houses
Turf houses in Iceland were the most common way of building in the country. In the beginning, The Viking houses or longhouses also came to Iceland. But at that time, the island had an even less benevolent climate than today. The winters were cold, raw, and the winds were strong.
Why do houses in Iceland have grass roofs?
Hardwood was not abundant in Iceland, but the grass was. The turf was cheap, plentiful, and offers superior thermal insulation compared to other types of materials. This gave Icelanders a perfectly insulated and comfortable home without the need for heating.
Where to see turf houses in Iceland
If you want to travel back in time and feel like you are in the time of the Viking sagas, you are in luck. In Iceland, there are a few Turf Houses that are still standing and can be visited. We are going to mention some of the most outstanding ones. Take advantage, add these points to your itinerary, start your rental car in Iceland and go for it.
Keldur viking Village
In Keldur there is a row of turf and turf houses with a church, a tiny cemetery, and a curious tunnel that is usually unnoticed. The Vikings themselves used to corner their enemies.This village is located a little further in front of the town of Hella, in southern Iceland. We leave the Ring Road to take Highway 264.
What is an Icelandic turf house?
Icelandic turf houses ( Icelandic: torfbæir) were the product of a difficult climate, offering superior insulation compared to buildings solely made of wood or stone, and the relative difficulty in obtaining other construction materials in sufficient quantities.
What was the primary framing material for Norse halls?
Oak was the preferred timber for building Norse halls in Scandinavia, but native birch had to serve as the primary framing material on the remote island. However, Iceland did have a large amount of turf that was suitable for construction.
Reasons for Corrugated Steel Construction in Iceland
Corrugated metal was exported around the world in the mid-19th century to put up quick, cheap housing. In the 1860’s British ships would trade the local sheep for corrugated steel which turned out to be an excellent building material for the harsh weather in Iceland.
The Diversity of Corrugated Steel Buildings in Iceland
These buildings are traditionally painted in bright colours which must really help brighten the gloom in the dark days of winter. In the sunshine, the light bounces off the metal making it sparkle, like on this church roof.
Overview
Turf houses
The original turf houses constructed by the original settlers of Iceland (from the west coast of Norway) were based on Viking longhouses (langhús). The exterior turf walls were lined internally with a wooden frame, which were then panelled, with the roof resting on two rows of pillars dividing the internal space. The main room of the house was known as the skáli, consisting of a central open hearthand …
Church buildings
With the arrival of Christianity in Icelandin 1000 AD, construction began on numerous impressive churches. A majority were probably constructed out of turf, but there were also numerous timber-framed churches, however not much remains of these buildings today. The first stone churches appeared in around in the 18th century, quite late considering the significant lack of timber on the i…
Stone buildings
Many high-quality stone buildings were erected in the 18th century, the first being a mansion on Viðey, made completely out of Icelandic stone. These were some of the first buildings in Iceland to be constructed by architects, who were from Denmark, as these buildings were constructed for the Danish authorities. The craftsmen involved in the construction of these buildings were also foreign. Icelandic stone buildings from this period were inherently similar to those in Denmark, s…
Urbanization
Urbanization began to appear around the 18th century, when Danish merchants set up permanent trading posts for themselves. The timber for constructing these residential and commercial premises was mostly prefabricated and imported. These timber-framed buildings had high pitched roofs and low walls, and they were tarred on the outside making them dark in appearance.
Contemporary architecture
The functionalist architectural style arrived in Iceland in the 1930s, brought by younger architects who would later have great influence on the urban planningof the country. Unusually, functionalism was not met with as much controversy as it was in other countries at the time. Early functionalist buildings in the country resembled those elsewhere in Europe, but conventional interior layouts being their differentiating feature. Many neighbourhoods were built up using the …
Notable buildings
• Hallgrímskirkja
• Perlan
• Smáratorg Tower
• Supreme Court of Iceland
See also
• Architecture of Denmark
• Architecture of Norway