gudmundur jonsson’s residence rests on columns along mountainous icelandic landscape

Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektkontor builds ‘Eagles Dream’

Located at Hólar 6 in West Iceland, near Stykkishólmur, Eagles Dream by Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektkontor integrates with its surrounding landscape. The design draws from the cascading mountainous ridges that define the area and incorporates distinct orientations to frame the diverse and expansive views. The concept was influenced by the discovery of an eagle feather on-site, leading to the idea of a structure poised lightly on the terrain, as though ready to take flight. Elevated on columns, the vacation residence allows the landscape to flow beneath it, treating the underside as a ‘fifth elevation’ with the same attention to detail as the rest of the design. The cladding materials establish a harmonious relationship between the house and its environment. Kebony Clear wood, applied on the trapeze-formed balcony, is used both on the exterior and underneath the house to create a unified aesthetic.

‘Eagles Dream’ Harmonizes with West Iceland’s Landscape

Oslo-based studio, Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektkontor, uses Alucoil cladding to mirror the surrounding mountainous landscape, extending the dialogue between the building and its natural setting. Inside, Icelandic bluestone, Blágrýti, covers the floors and bathroom walls, grounding the interior design in local materials. Continuity is further emphasized through the interior wooden cladding, achieved using pine veneer treated to match the patina of the weathered Kebony Clear exterior over time. A corridor leading to the bedrooms features four circular glazed floor windows, establishing a direct visual connection to the ground below. A long bay window on the north side accentuates views of the adjacent forest. The trapeze-like forms of the library and kitchen echo the design of vintage camera lenses, capturing the surrounding vistas through carefully framed perspectives. Eagles Dream blends innovative design with its natural context, offering a residence that respects and enhances its spectacular Icelandic setting.

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project info:

name: Eagles Dream
architect: Gudmundur Jonsson Arkitektkontor | @gudmundurjonssonarkitekt

location: Hólar 6, Iceland

photography: Gunnar Sverrisson | @gunnarsverrisson

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