Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll is a year-round hospitality destination that brings together a new hotel, refurbished legacy accommodations, lodges, restaurant, baths and campsite facilities. The new hotel includes 46 rooms, suites and 6 lodges, forming a cohesive base for travel in the central highlands and accommodating both short stays and extended journeys.

The project is located within the Kerlingarfjöll mountain range, a 150 square kilometre formation shaped by subglacial volcanic eruptions over 10,000 years ago. Peaks rise to 1500 metres, with expansive views toward the glaciers Hofsjökull and Langjökull. The landscape is in constant transformation, from snow-covered winter terrain to summer patterns of ice and exposed ground. At lower elevations, glacial rivers meet the geothermal valleys of Hveradalir, where boiling mud pools, steaming vents and mineral-rich formations create a vivid and dynamic environment. The area has a long history as a destination for exploration, from early hiking expeditions in the 1930s to its later development as a ski destination and mountain resort.

The architectural approach builds on the idea of a basecamp, balancing comfort with the enduring character of the site. While the facilities have been significantly upgraded, the project retains the spirit of the original outpost as a place of shelter, gathering and departure into the surrounding landscape. Circulation across the site is carefully resolved, with underground passageways connecting the hotel, restaurant and baths, allowing guests to move between buildings without exposure to the harsh climate.

Design and construction respond directly to the extreme conditions of the central highlands. The site is exposed to winds exceeding 70 metres per second, along with ice and snow that place high demands on materials and detailing. Limited access for much of the year necessitates extensive prefabrication, informing both construction methods and architectural expression. The result is a robust and durable built environment that provides shelter and comfort while remaining closely attuned to the landscape and its demanding conditions.