History Architecture of Iceland

1 history

1.1 turf houses
1.2 medieval age
1.3 stone buildings
1.4 urbanization arrives
1.5 20th century , continuing urbanisation
1.6 contemporary architecture

history
turf houses


glaumbær @ skagafjordur folk museum

the original turf houses constructed original settlers of iceland (from west coast of norway) based on viking longhouses (langhús). exterior turf walls lined internally wooden frame, panelled, roof resting on 2 rows of pillars dividing internal space. main room of house known skáli, consisting of central open hearth , 2 raised platforms, known set. similar designs of longhouse have been found across scandinavia, faroes , scottish isles, greenland.

later houses included additional living space, stofa, , accompanied smaller outhouses. layout incorporated pantry , lavatory. on years, layout became more compartmentalised, include baðstofa (a heated sauna room). in response colder icelandic climate, sleeping area moved baðstofa. design evolved entrance moved between living room , main room; rooms in house joined central passageway, layout known gangabær. possibly in response deteriorating climate, and, timber supplies dwindled, people went living in one-room baðstofa layout.

around 1791, under danish interest, gable-fronted design (burstabær) proposed guðlaugur sveinsson, became widespread in south of iceland climate warmer. example of design glaumbær turf farmhouse @ skagafjordur folk museum opened in 1952 @ glaumbær farm.

by 1900 design evolving still, seeing such additions framhús, kind of timber porch @ front entrance of buildings. today grasshouses no longer constructed in iceland (construction stopped in mid-20th century), , few remaining examples open public open-air museums. there evidence suggest celtic influence in icelandic architecture in form of stone roundhouses , sheepcotes, of still shaded in obscurity.

medieval age

hólakirkja, largest stone church constructed in country.

with arrival of christianity in iceland in 1000, construction began on numerous impressive churches. majority constructed out of turf, there numerous timber-framed churches, not remains of these buildings today. first stone churches appeared in around in 18th century, quite late considering significant lack of timber on island (even access driftwood not widespread).

the church in hólar, largest built out of stone, pictured right.

stone buildings

many high-quality stone buildings erected in 18th century, first being mansion on viðey, made out of icelandic stone. these of first buildings in iceland constructed trained architects, denmark, these buildings constructed danish authorities. craftsmen involved in construction of these buildings foreign. icelandic stone buildings period inherently similar in denmark, save use of timber clad roofs instead of slate. type of building considered expensive, , seen in many official buildings such bessastaðir (the presidential residence) , alþingishúsið in reykjavík. sooner or later, type of building discontinued.

many icelanders encouraged learn craft of masonry during stone construction boom period, leading building of many stone houses mimicked design of icelandic turf houses.

urbanization arrives

urbanization began appear first time around 18th century, when danish merchants set permanent trading posts themselves. timber constructing these residential , commercial premises prefabricated , imported. these timber-framed buildings had high pitched roofs , low walls, , tarred on outside making them dark in appearance.

with movement towards independence denmark , implementation of icelandic free trade, more diverse architectural styles , influences brought island. classical influences can seen in timber buildings 19th century, these buildings two-storey , had higher walls. details such layout of fenestration on building drew classical traditions. few buildings in style remain today.

as 20th century dawned, swiss chalet style architecture brought indirectly iceland under norwegian influence. settling in eastern region , westfjords, brought them prefabricated houses erected there. buildings tended taller , large windows, unlike of styles had prevailed in iceland beforehand. notable features of these buildings friezes above doors , windows, , eaves projected out above walls. here distinctive icelandic use of corrugated iron (imported england), in place of external cladding, born. swiss chalet style dominant force in icelandic architecture in 20th century.

the use of timber banned in urban areas after great fires in reykjavík , akureyri around time.

20th century , continuing urbanisation

independence movements in iceland gained lot of support during part of 20th century, when country awarded home rule denmark. urbanisation began in earnest population moved out en masse rural areas new technological developments. these social changes had profound effect upon architecture of period.

concrete first used on major scale building material in period , became extremely popular easy , economical construction material. material has shaped icelandic architecture period. arrival of concrete came first qualified icelandic architect, rögnvaldur Ólafsson, had @ first designed in swiss chalet style moved on working in concrete. first works in concrete resembled closely stone buildings of earlier times.

characteristically urban buildings began emerging during time, such austurstræti 16 (designed guðjón samúelsson) concrete constructions. guðjón went on become leading icelandic architect of time. referencing traditional icelandic architectural styles, revived gable-fronted house design in concrete. influence can seen in stylised form in national theatre of iceland building, example. guðjón samúelsson designer of hallgrímskirkja, 1 of tallest structures in iceland, modelled on cliff faces.

the functionalist architectural style arrived in iceland in 1930s, brought younger architects later have great influence on urban planning of country. unusually, functionalism not met controversy in other countries @ time. functionalist buildings in country resembled elsewhere in europe, conventional interior layouts being differentiating feature. many neighbourhoods later built using functionalist aesthetic guide. buildings made distinctively icelandic use of local minerals , seashells dashing. whole residential districts dashed in way. after world war ii, larger houses higher roofs began appear, variety of decorative features marking departure functionalist aesthetic.

the next wave of architectural style arrive modernism, appearing after country’s gain of independence denmark. influential architects created modernist buildings low roofs , large windows , large, smooth expanses of colour (in contrast dashing style popular earlier). modernist architecture commanded modernist interior boot, , here began strong furniture industry. new building techniques led construction of concrete high-rises in reykjavík. here new movements began show up, such increase in popularity of open plan interiors.

in addition new styles , influences arriving, sentiment conservation of existing older buildings founded, newfound interest in traditional handicrafts. criticism of modern icelandic architecture appeared @ time, pointing out energy-wasting designs , drawing traditional building techniques such steep pitched roofs find solutions.

contemporary architecture

in recent years, many larger-scale plans have been put forward both projects in reykjavík , kópavogur. many of these projects proposed during boom period before financial crisis, including iceland’s first skyscrapers, höfðatorg , smáratorg towers. many of taller buildings in reykjavík area out of place when compared neighbours, example traditional wooden houses neighbour höfðatorg tower 1. other projects include harpa, completed in 2011, ambitious plans had included world trade centre. funding concert hall became insecure economic crisis, although icelandic government later promised project completed, state funding.