B20

The brief required the construction of a single family house on a site within a saturated residential quarter in the outskirts of Reykjavik. The area is located on the Arnarnes peninsula of Gardabaer a town of 8,000 inhabitants some 10 km from the capital Reykjavik.

The site is facing south to the Blikanes St. with a limited view to the sea across the presidential residence Bessastaðir.

The composition is two basic boxes laid out as to create an area of quietness within the complex. The void assimilates adjacent spaces and is generated with bare walls and a flow of indirect daylight from a 6 meters long sky window facing north. The two boxes are clusters of containers and house the living wing to the street and the sleeping wing set to the back of the site. The atmosphere throughout the house is primarily obtained by the emptiness between the two boxes and the movements from container to container through that space. The flow of spaces is further enhanced by the continuous surfaces obtained by the layering of openings contra massive heavy barriers. Frameless openings encourage views from one space to another. The entrance is a two story high space linked directly to the void connecting the two volumes. Kitchen, dining and living is a one and a half story high space with a huge corner window as the focus point capturing the view to the sea. The private wing is two story high housing the bedrooms and sanitary spaces on the upper floor and a service and house keeper quarter on the lover one.

An exterior terrace and solarium, sauna, hot tub and gym is facing the south and the street and thus sheltered with a 1.8 meter high concrete wall to prevent direct view from bypassers. This fortress plays furthermore the role of guiding the entrance path from the street to the main entrance.

Structural system is reinforced concrete walls and slabs. Main materials are plastered exterior walls with inlays of Icelandic Líparít stone stripes (Red Ryolite) and reflective glass in aluminum construction. Roof construction is flat concrete slabs insulated on the outside and covered with gravel. Roof light construction is cladded with zinc sheets. Interior walls are plastered. Flooring is sandstone tiles in public spaces and oak parquet in private areas. Suspended ceilings are gips carton cladding with sound absorbing quality and integrated lighting. Railings are toughed single green glass panels. Fixed interior furnitures oak lined with black interior are custom made from the design of the architect. Mechanical system is floor heating and cooling.

Photography by Åke E:son Lindman