Private Villa in the South

Emerging from the ground, the residence is defined by a clear interplay between concrete and wood. Embedded in grass-covered landforms, the architecture is shaped through a sequence of carved passages and defined volumes, where material, structure and movement work together to organize the house.

Location
South Iceland
Status
Completed
Typology
Residential
Residential
Featured
Featured
All
All
Size
350 m2
Year
2022
Client
Private

The residence is a private villa set within an open landscape defined by wide horizons and strong natural features. The programme includes a main house, alongside a garage, stable and greenhouse that together frame the arrival and form a cohesive residential setting.

The house is organized into three primary areas: a guest wing, a central zone for shared living, and a master suite. Between these volumes, canyon-like passages act as entrances, creating clear divisions while structuring movement through the building.

The residence is a private villa set within an open landscape defined by wide horizons and strong natural features. The programme includes a main house, alongside a garage, stable and greenhouse that together frame the arrival and form a cohesive residential setting.

The house is organized into three primary areas: a guest wing, a central zone for shared living, and a master suite. Between these volumes, canyon-like passages act as entrances, creating clear divisions while structuring movement through the building.

The design is based on the idea of a building emerging from the ground. Large portions of the structure are embedded within manmade grass-covered landforms, allowing the architecture to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The canyon spaces cut through both landscape and building, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior.

The design is based on the idea of a building emerging from the ground. Large portions of the structure are embedded within manmade grass-covered landforms, allowing the architecture to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The canyon spaces cut through both landscape and building, reinforcing the connection between interior and exterior.

Materially, the project is defined by a gradual transition from concrete to wood. The canyon walls are formed in ribbed concrete, establishing a strong rhythm that corresponds to the timber cladding on the outer façades. Moving through the building, this material language shifts, with wood becoming increasingly prominent and eventually defining the outer envelope. In selected areas, the concrete rhythm is interrupted and replaced with timber elements, some incorporating integrated lighting. Indoors, this ribbed logic continues, shaping walls and spatial experience.

Environmental performance is central to the project. The residence is designed with a strong focus on sustainability and is among the first private homes in the country to receive Nordic Swan Ecolabel Certification.

Materially, the project is defined by a gradual transition from concrete to wood. The canyon walls are formed in ribbed concrete, establishing a strong rhythm that corresponds to the timber cladding on the outer façades. Moving through the building, this material language shifts, with wood becoming increasingly prominent and eventually defining the outer envelope. In selected areas, the concrete rhythm is interrupted and replaced with timber elements, some incorporating integrated lighting. Indoors, this ribbed logic continues, shaping walls and spatial experience.

Environmental performance is central to the project. The residence is designed with a strong focus on sustainability and is among the first private homes in the country to receive Nordic Swan Ecolabel Certification.

Credits

Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design: Basalt Architects

Project Architect: Hrólfur Karl Cela

Project Manager: Perla Dís Kristinsdóttir

Design team: Dagbjört Jónsdóttir, Edda Steingrímsdóttir, Harpa Heimisdóttir, Rut Sigurmonsdóttir

Collaborators

Lighting Design: Liska

Engineering: VSR

General Contractor: Jáverk

Photographer

Nanne Springer