At its finest, great architecture takes the challenges of context and creates a beautiful form. This is, of course, a major challenge for those corners of the world with a difficult climate. Be it the desolate deserts of Death Valley or the extreme elevations of the Tibetan Plains, such scenarios create unique opportunities for architects to make the best lemonade out of large lemons.
Welcome to Stykkishólmur. A town of around 1.000, Stykkishólmur is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Western Iceland. The climate is somewhat extreme: it’s a little windy, but still acts as the principal gateway to Flatey. A bustling city this is not: no, in Stykkishólmur, you can find one restaurant, one grocery store, one hostel, one church, and one golf course.
What is interesting, though, is the design seen in Stykkishólmur. For such a small place, there is an astounding collection of beautiful pieces of architecture. On the one hand, the functional elements respond well to the climate: metal and concrete elements prevent inclement weather from negatively affecting the residents of the buildings. On the other hand, the form of the structures are striking: there is a beautiful relationship between the homes and their surroundings, undulating amongst the tall grass and jagged rock.
Like any art form, great architecture responds to its surroundings in a way that simultaneously complements and challenges. It demonstrates rural Icelandic architecture at its finest: shielding the indoors from the unforgivingly windy climate and long dark winters, but also adding colourful elements that complements the drama of the landscape.
You can view a full slideshow of images from Adam’s travels to Stykkishólmur on his Flickr account.
Share On
