When the Vikings landed in what is now Newfoundland, they built earthen berm homes that still stand today as ancient historical landmarks, and Gardur Landhouse references that history. Located miles further into the Faxafloi Bay on the same peninsula as Reykjavik, the barren parcel of land requires its residences to make use of the same architectural principles that the Vikings mastered thousands of years ago.
As its name indicates, Gardur Landhouse is embedded into the earth, blending seamlessly with the rolling banks of volcanic ash that make up the soil in the region. One of the major benefits of this style of structure is that the house stays well protected from the elements. Because Gardur is mostly barren, any freestanding structure would be completely exposed to the elements; building the home into the earth itself and protecting it with berms eliminates this risk.
Buried Icelandic Landhouses
Gardur Landhouse is Blends into the Region's Rolling Dunes
Trend Themes
1. Earthen Berms Homes - The trend of building homes into the earth itself to protect them from elements.
2. Viking Architecture - Incorporation of Viking architectural principles in modern home construction.
3. Seamless Construction - The trend of blending homes seamlessly into surrounding environment.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - Innovation opportunities in designing more sustainable, eco-friendly and natural-looking homes.
2. Construction - Opportunities for construction companies to utilize sustainable and eco-friendly building materials and techniques.
3. Real Estate - Emphasis on eco-friendly features and blending homes seamlessly into the environment as a unique selling proposition for properties.