Turf houses Architecture of Iceland

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.