Icelandic architecture design images, Reykjavik buildings news, Property photos

Iceland Architecture : Buildings

Key Contemporary Architectural Developments in Reykjavik + surrounding area.

post updated 19 January 2026

We select what we feel are the best examples of Icelandic Architecture. We aim to include the most interesting design-led Icelandic buildings.

e-architect cover completed Icelandic buildings and new building designs. This resource also features architectural exhibitions and competitions across Iceland.

Icelandic Architecture Designs

9 January 2024
Iceland Volcano Museum, Mývatn, North Iceland
Design: Studio RE+N

rendering : Studio RE+N
Iceland Volcano Museum, Myvatn

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30 August 2023
Ring of Bjólfur, Seydisfjordur
Design: Esja Architecture & Arkibygg Arkitektar

photo © Alex Cetea & Andrei Ducu Predescu
Ring of Bjólfur, Iceland

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9 June 2022
The Hill Farm, near Lake Mývatn, North Iceland
Design: Derin Kinacigil & Juan Franco

image courtesy of architectural practice
Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant Competition Winner

6 June 2022
Greenhouse Restaurant
Design: United Architektur – a German architecture office founded by Jens Brinkmann

renderings by Thomas Saint-Guillain and United Architektur
Greenhouse Restaurant Mývatn Windows

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7 Jul 2021
Seaside Gardens Gufunes
Design: jvantspijker & partners / Felixx Landscape Architects / Andersen & Sigurdsson Architects

image © jvantspijiker+Felixx+Andersen&Sigurdsson

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24 July 2019
Aldin Biodomes in Reykjavik
Design: WilkinsonEyre

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28 Feb 2018
The Icelandic bank, Landsbankinn in Reykjavik
Design: C.F. Møller Architects and Arkthing

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Iceland Building Designs Archive

Contemporary Architecture in Iceland – latest additions to this page, arranged chronologically:

31 Jul 2013
The Station – Roadside Stop, Borgarnes
Design: KRADS

photo © Kristinn Magnusson
The Station – Roadside Stop
The exposed concrete of the exterior bestows the diner with a permanence unknown by its American counterparts creating a friction between its streamlined aesthetics and the rustic materiality’s gravity. An elongated bar-desk transforms into seating arrangements and characterizes the semicircular restaurant, which offers generous panoramic views of the scenic fjord Borgarfjordur while the curvilinear form allows for a smooth circulation of cars outside.

3 Apr 2013
Botanical Gardens Cafe, Akureyri
Design: Kollgata Arkitektúr

photo : Helga Kvam
Botanical Gardens Cafe Iceland
To commemorate the 150 year birthday of the township of Akureyri and the 100 years of the Botanical gardens of Akureyri, the city council decided to commission a cafe for the gardens. The site was at the center of the gardens, allowing for a 150m² building footprint.

17 Jan 2013
Vigdis Language Center, Reykjavik
OOIIO Architecture

image from architect
Vigdis Language Center
“Vigdis Foundation” (Stofnun Vigdísar Finnbogadóttur) is one of the most important institutions for the internationalization and preservation of Icelandic culture and values. The building that hosts this Foundation should be representative of the importance of these activities for its country, Iceland.

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16 May 2012
Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridges in Reykjavik
Teiknistofan Tröð

image from architects
Bridge Designs in Iceland
This design proposal won first prize in an open two-stage Icelandic Architecture Competition. The bridges are designed in the shape of a triangular pyramid.

16 May 2012
Hotel Building in Reykjavik
OOIIO Architecture

image from architects
Reykjavik Hotel Building : Iceland Architecture Competition
Submission for an international ideas competition. In Reykjavik, Iceland capital they wanted to build a big new hotel in Ingolfstorg, a public existing plaza in Kvosin, the city historical center, very close to the Iceland Parliament.

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22 Aug 2011
Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Batteriið Architects + Olafur Eliasson

photo Courtesy of Harpa © Hörður Sveinsson
Harpa Iceland
The Harpa opening took place in connection with the annual jazz and cultural festival of Reykjavik, and the Concert Hall hosted numerous concerts throughout the day. The spectacular south facade of the Harpa building was developed in collaboration with the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

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Icelandic Buildings

Iceland photographs © David Welch / Muriel Welch 2007 – scans:

Hallgrimschurch, Skolavordustigur, central Reykjavik
Dates built: 1937-74
Gudjon Samuelsson architect

Hallgrimskirkja, Skólavörðustígur : tallest building in Iceland at 73m high

Raðhús : City Hall Reykjavik
Dates built: 1988-91/92
Studio Granda

photograph : David Welch
design competition 1986-87 : 38 entries
1st prize : architects Margret Hardardottir & Steve Christer – now Studio Granda
Location: Tjarnargata 11, north side of Lake Tjornin, central Reykjavik

More traditional Icelandic building photos at the base of this page.

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New Icelandic Architecture Designs

Contemporary Iceland Buildings, alphabetical:

Bifröst school building
Studio Granda

photograph : Magnus Gudnasson
Bifröst school building

Hof Residence, Skakafjordur fjord
Studio Granda

image from architects
Hof Residence Iceland

Vatnsmýri Urban Plan
Graeme Massie Architects

image from architects
Iceland Urban Plan

Supreme Court building
Studio Granda

photograph : Sigurgeir Sigurjonsson
Icelandic building

The Icelandic National Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects

image from architects
Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre + Icelandic Concert Hall – latest information