Gallery: ICELANDIC PREFAB

Those of you who have been reading Inhabitat for a while may remember seeing some beautiful images of Iceland when Jill traveled there last summer. We caught glimpses of eco villages and the extensive geothermal activity that provides most of Iceland’s power, but until now, we hadn’t seen much from Iceland’s prefab scene.

This little dwelling comes from Glama-Kim, a Reykjavik architecture firm. Their Summerhouse (of which there are two models) is comprised of two adjoining prefab structures – the larger contains an open living and dining area, and the smaller houses sleeping quarters. The outdoor hot tub, deck and pergola are a tempting invitation to spend time outdoors enjoying the expansive open space. The structure uses a simple combination of natural and industrial materials, framed in wood with corrugated steel exterior cladding and birch plywood on the interior. Larger components of the house are designed for off-site fabrication, with final assembly kept to a minimum. The floors are cork parquet (sustainable and forgiving on the feet), complemented with birch plywood casework.

Glama-Kim isn’t exclusively a prefab company. They do everything from urban planning to retail and institutional architecture. But we always enjoy a simple little gem like the Summerhouse, which illuminates a designer’s artistic essence. It’s a light, open container for a vast and pristine landscape.