Landscape Villa

The villa is set within an expansive landscape, where architecture is shaped by terrain, climate, and distant horizons. Composed as a series of interconnected volumes, the project balances scale and restraint, creating a highly crafted residential environment embedded in and oriented toward its surroundings.

Location
Iceland
Status
Completed
Typology
Residential
Residential
All
All
Size
1800 m2
Year
2026
Client
Private

The villa is a large-scale private residence situated on an 800-hectare site. The project comprises three elements: a main house, a guest house, and an existing farmhouse at the entrance, forming a self-contained residential compound that accommodates both living and leisure.

The site is defined by strong natural features and expansive views. Mountain ranges frame the landscape to the north and south, while distant views toward open water and inland valleys extend in opposite directions. Ravines cut through the terrain with streams running along both sides of the house, and a nearby waterfall forms part of the visual field. Positioned on a barren hill, the building is carefully placed along a central axis within the landscape, allowing views to unfold in all directions.

The villa is a large-scale private residence situated on an 800-hectare site. The project comprises three elements: a main house, a guest house, and an existing farmhouse at the entrance, forming a self-contained residential compound that accommodates both living and leisure.

The site is defined by strong natural features and expansive views. Mountain ranges frame the landscape to the north and south, while distant views toward open water and inland valleys extend in opposite directions. Ravines cut through the terrain with streams running along both sides of the house, and a nearby waterfall forms part of the visual field. Positioned on a barren hill, the building is carefully placed along a central axis within the landscape, allowing views to unfold in all directions.

The architectural concept is driven by this relationship to landscape. Volumes are shaped and slightly curved in response to the scale of the surroundings, while the building is both anchored into and partially lifted from the terrain. The main house is organized around a central courtyard, with the living space spanning above it to maintain openness toward the views. The guest house is oriented toward the more distant vistas, and a full-scale underground sports hall is embedded into the hillside.

The structure is primarily concrete, expressed both internally and externally, with parts of the ground floor cast using material from the site. A restrained palette of oak, granite, steel, and natural textiles creates a calm interior environment. Several key elements are executed in solid granite, requiring complex installation before enclosure.

The project integrates technical solutions tailored to extreme weather conditions, including recessed shutters and specially engineered steel window systems. Bespoke water and sauna systems were developed in collaboration with international partners, contributing to a highly integrated and technically refined residential environment.

The architectural concept is driven by this relationship to landscape. Volumes are shaped and slightly curved in response to the scale of the surroundings, while the building is both anchored into and partially lifted from the terrain. The main house is organized around a central courtyard, with the living space spanning above it to maintain openness toward the views. The guest house is oriented toward the more distant vistas, and a full-scale underground sports hall is embedded into the hillside.

The structure is primarily concrete, expressed both internally and externally, with parts of the ground floor cast using material from the site. A restrained palette of oak, granite, steel, and natural textiles creates a calm interior environment. Several key elements are executed in solid granite, requiring complex installation before enclosure.

The project integrates technical solutions tailored to extreme weather conditions, including recessed shutters and specially engineered steel window systems. Bespoke water and sauna systems were developed in collaboration with international partners, contributing to a highly integrated and technically refined residential environment.

Credits

Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design: Basalt architects

Project Architect: Hrólfur Karl Cela
Project Manager: Anna Björg Sigurðardóttir
Design Team: Dario Jessen, Dagbjört Ásta Jónsdóttir, Marcos Zotes, Ólíver Ás Kristjánsson, Perla Dís Kristinsdóttir, Rut Sigurmonsdóttir, Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir

Collaborators

Engineering: Ferill
Lighting Design: Hildiberg
Accoustic Design: Myrra
Contractor: Ístak
Millwork: Formus
Stone Supplier: Kusser