Icelandic architecture design images, Reykjavik buildings news, Property photos

Iceland Architecture : Buildings

Key Contemporary Architectural Developments in Reykjavik + surrounding area

post updated 7 August 2024

Iceland Architecture Links

Icelandic Architecture

We select what we feel are the best examples of Icelandic Architecture. We aim to include the most interesting design-led Icelandic buildings. We cover completed Icelandic buildings, new building designs, architectural exhibitions and competitions across Iceland.

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

30 August 2023
Ring of Bjólfur, Seydisfjordur
Design: Esja Architecture & Arkibygg Arkitektar
Ring of Bjólfur East Iceland
photo © Alex Cetea & Andrei Ducu Predescu
Ring of Bjólfur, Iceland

9 June 2022
The Hill Farm, near Lake Mývatn, North Iceland
Design: Derin Kinacigil & Juan Franco
Iceland Greenhouse Restaurant Competition Winner
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
Greenhouse Restaurant Mývatn Windows, North Iceland
renderings by Thomas Saint-Guillain and United Architektur
Greenhouse Restaurant Mývatn Windows

7 Jul 2021
Seaside Gardens, Gufunes, Reykjavik waterfront
Design: jvantspijker & partners / Felixx Landscape Architects / Andersen & Sigurdsson Architects
Seaside Gardens Gufunes Reykjavik waterfront
image © jvantspijiker+Felixx+Andersen&Sigurdsson
Seaside Gardens Gufunes

24 July 2019
Aldin Biodomes, Reykjavik
Design: WilkinsonEyre
Aldin Biodomes in Reykjavik

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

Iceland Building Designs Archive

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

31 Jul 2013
The Station – Roadside Stop, Borgarnes
Design: KRADS
The Station Roadside Stop Iceland
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
Botanical Gardens Cafe Iceland
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
Vigdis Language Center Reykjavik - Icelandic 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.

16 May 2012
Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridges in Reykjavik
Teiknistofan Tröð
Reykjavik Bridge Design - Icelandic Architecture
image from architects
Bridge Designs in Iceland
1st prize in an open two stage Icelandic Architecture Competition.
The bridges are designed in the shape of a triangular pyramid. The deck is held up with steel wires that connect to the top of the pyramid. A pathway lies between the two bridges and along the coastline with rest stops and information stands along the way.

16 May 2012
Hotel Building in Reykjavik
OOIIO Architecture
Hotel in Reykjavik
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. The program was asking for a way too big building that couldn´t work well with the existing city pattern. There are no big buildings on this area.

22 Aug 2011
Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects + Olafur Eliasson
Harpa Icelandic Architecture
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. Harpa is designed by Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Batteriið Architects. The spectacular south facade of the building was developed in collaboration with the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson.

Icelandic Buildings

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

Hallgrimschurch, Skolavordustigur, central Reykjavik
Dates built: 1937-74
Gudjon Samuelsson architect
Hallgrimskirkja Reykjavik Hallgrimskirkja Hallgrims Church Icelandic Architecture Hallgrims Church Reykjavik
Hallgrimskirkja, Skólavörðustígur : tallest building in Iceland at 73m high

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

New Icelandic Architecture Designs

Contemporary Iceland Buildings, alphabetical:

Bifröst school building
Studio Granda
Icelandic school building
photograph : Magnus Gudnasson
Bifröst school building

Hof Residence, Skakafjordur fjord
Studio Granda
Hof Residence Iceland
image from architects
Hof Residence Iceland

Vatnsmýri Urban Plan
Graeme Massie Architects
Vatnsmýri Urban Plan Icelandic Architecture
image from architects
Iceland Urban Plan

Supreme Court building
Studio Granda
Iceland Supreme Court building
photograph : Sigurgeir Sigurjonsson
Icelandic building

The Icelandic National Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects
Icelandic Concert Hall
image from architects
Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre + Icelandic Concert Hall – latest information

Reykjavik University building
Henning Larsen Architects
Reykjavik University building
image from architects
Reykjavik University building

Vision Akureyri International Design Competition, 1st Prize
Graeme Massie Architects
Vision Akureyri Icelandic Architecture
image from architect
Icelandic building competition

More Icelandic Buildings online soon

Location: Iceland, north west Europe

Country Architecture adjacent to Iceland

Norwegian Architecture

Canadian Architecture

Scottish Tour

Architecture in Iceland

Icelandic architects : Studio Granda

Photographs © David Welch / Muriel Welch 2007 – scans:

Domkirke Reykjavik
Domkirke Reykjavik

Glaumbær Church
Glaumbaer Church Glaumbaer Icelandic Architecture

Glaumbær Farm Settlement
Glaumbær Farm Glaumbær Farm Settlement

Grafar Church
Grafar Church Grafar Church Icelandic Architecture Grafar Kirke

Grund Church
Grund Church Icelandic Architecture

Reykjavik University Library
Reykjavik University

Comments / photos for the Icelandic Architecture page welcome

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