Laufskálavarða ICELAND || This Tiny House in the Black Sand Desert in Iceland Offers Travellers Refuge and Perspective
Public infrastructure doesn’t have to be boring.
In fact, it can bring a much-needed pop of colour for travellers driving along a great expanse of scenery that seems to blend into a blur. This is the case of Laufskálavarða in Iceland, where the structure plays a dual role for passing travellers by offering them refuge and also a new perspective to regard the surrounding scenery.
The tiny house is located in a black sand desert in Iceland, halfway between two glaciers - Mýrdalsjökul and Vatnajökull.
This simple service house provides travellers with lavatories, a washing. machine, a dryer and a bike stand for repairs. While such services are standard facilities in a rest stop such as this, what makes this building different from other service units is the combination of two design programs into one. Layered atop the standard facilities design program is a second-floor viewpoint where travellers are offered an elevated perspective of the surrounding landscape. Here, visitors can take in the tranquil 360-degree views and stretch their legs during a break from a long journey while basking in the sun.
This building is an example of how designers and architects can reimagine service facilities for travellers by incorporating additional functions that add value to the travel experience. Even if it’s simply a pop of colour, we are sure visitors will appreciate a visual break from the long stretch of flatlands.
The simple structure offers service facilities for travellers on the long stretch of road.
Travellers can wash their clothes, take a lavatory break, or simply enjoy refuge from the sun.
The design adds a pop of green to the surrounding landscape.
The second-floor view point affords travellers a unique vantage point to take in the scenery.
A bird’s eye view of the structure.
PROJECT DETAILS
Studio’s name: Stass Architect
Country: Iceland
City: Reykjavik
Year of Construction (start and end): 2020/21
Gross Construction Area (m2): 26m2
Typology (housing, etc): Public Infrastructure
Number of Floors: 2
Location: Laufskálavarða, ICELAND
Project Name: Laufskálavarða
Photography: Studio CAPN
