Extension and renovation in Iceland's modernist legacy. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects
10/01/2022.
[Reykjavik] Iceland
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
metalocus, VALERIA OZUNA
The extension and renovation project commissioned to the Icelandic studio Trípólí Architects consisted of the extensive renovation of a single-family house, which is a modest modernist masterpiece, designed by the first Icelandic modernist architect, Gunnlaugur Halldórsson in 1952.
The clients' wish was to build a small extension to the house that would incorporate a new, welcoming entrance to their modest modernist masterpiece, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
The clients' wish was to build a small extension to the house that would incorporate a new, welcoming entrance to their modest modernist masterpiece, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects. Photograph by Studio CAPN.
Site plan. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects.
Ground floor plan. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects.
North and West elevations. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects.
Elevation East and Section AA. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects.
Model. Ægisíða 44 by Trípólí Architects.
For the renovation of the house, the project by Trípólí Architects consisted of restoring the facades to their original state. For this reason, in the addition of new construction, the design decisions chose to accentuate the white architecture of the existing building with the use of a black exterior.
To obtain a continuous sequence of spaces in an environment of such diverse characteristics of proportion and scale, the design process required the study and identification of architectural solutions of the original building to solve the challenges presented by the project.
To obtain a continuous sequence of spaces in an environment of such diverse characteristics of proportion and scale, the design process required the study and identification of architectural solutions of the original building to solve the challenges presented by the project.
Description of project by Trípólí Architects
The clients approached Trípólí with a view to building a small extension on a plot of land originally intended for a garage. The extension would incorporate two bedrooms, a bathroom and a new and inviting entryway to their modest modernist masterpiece.
The original house was designed in 1952 by the first Icelandic modernist architect, Gunnlaugur Halldórsson, and construction was completed in 1955. The house featured among other properties in the 1959 publication Íslenzk Íbúðarhús , where it was depicted in iconic pictures by photographer Andrés Kolbeinsson.
The Trípólí project entailed a complete renovation and expansion of this single-family home. The facades were restored to their original state, with the sole addition of a single white sloping dividing wall between the garden terrace and the driveway. The interior was updated to meet the needs and wishes of the new inhabitants by interior architect Rut Kára.
Our strategy was to ensure that the extension did not overwhelm the original structure, and so we chose a black exterior in order to accentuate the white architecture of the existing building.
During the design process we identified and called upon architectural themes from the original building to solve various architectural questions and challenges. Both structures have a single sloped roof and in order to emphasise the point of contact between them, the roof of the extension slopes in the opposite direction resulting in a high and bright space between the two structures, with daylight coming in from three directions. The split-levels in the existing building are themed and the complicated internal landscape of the original structure continues into the extension, creating a continuous sequence of spaces in varying sizes and proportions.
More information
Architects
Project team
Andri Gunnar Lyngberg Andrésson, Guðni Valberg, Jón Davíð Ásgeirsson.
Collaborators
Interior Design.- Rut Kára. Team.- AGLA, JDÁ.
Area
255 sqm.
Dates
2019.
Location
Reykjavik, Iceland.
Photography
Andri Gunnar, Guðni Valberg, Jón Davíð Ásgeirsson. Trípólí Architects
Trípólí is an Iceland-based architectural office established by architects Andri Gunnar Lyngberg Andrésson, Guðni Valberg, and Jón Davíð Ásgeirsson.
Their partnership began when the trio graduated from the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Soon it developed into an international collaboration as the three exchanged ideas and participated in architectural competitions while studying and working in Zürich, Aarhus, and Oslo – hence the name Trípólí.
The office is engaged in all aspects of architecture and urban design and is working on projects of all sizes – ranging from masterplans to single-family houses – parallel with research, writing, curating, and lecturing.
Trípólí’s approach is rooted in research and theory, and they rely on a continual dialogue with experts and consultants, across various backgrounds and professional fields, in every stage of the design process.
The office’s goal is to take an innovative and considered approach to form, structure, and material, in addition to sensitivity and respect for the character of each unique place. Instead of adhering to a particular architectural style or dogma, they aim to make work that is contemporary yet rooted in its historical, social, environmental, and economical context.
Their partnership began when the trio graduated from the Iceland Academy of the Arts. Soon it developed into an international collaboration as the three exchanged ideas and participated in architectural competitions while studying and working in Zürich, Aarhus, and Oslo – hence the name Trípólí.
The office is engaged in all aspects of architecture and urban design and is working on projects of all sizes – ranging from masterplans to single-family houses – parallel with research, writing, curating, and lecturing.
Trípólí’s approach is rooted in research and theory, and they rely on a continual dialogue with experts and consultants, across various backgrounds and professional fields, in every stage of the design process.
The office’s goal is to take an innovative and considered approach to form, structure, and material, in addition to sensitivity and respect for the character of each unique place. Instead of adhering to a particular architectural style or dogma, they aim to make work that is contemporary yet rooted in its historical, social, environmental, and economical context.
Categories
Our selection
