146 inhabitants and the Atlantic Ocean
Hofsós Swimming Pool in Iceland
Hofsós
Hofsós is a small fishing village in the northern part of Iceland. It consists of small scale traditional Icelandic houses from the early twenties. The small scale of the surrounding village has been an inspiration in the design process of Hofsós Swimming Pool.
The site of Hofsós Swimming Pool is by the coast on the main street leading to the village. From the site there is a magnificent view towards the Atlantic Ocean where the island Drangey lies in the horizon. In the wintertime the distant lights from the village of Sauðarkrokur can be seen on the opposite shore.
Grettir
Die Verbindung zur Insel Drangey ist von großer historischer und kultureller Bedeutung. Einer der wichtigsten Charaktere der isländischen Sagen, Grettir, schwamm die sechs Kilometer zu dieser Insel und entkam einer Schlacht an Land. Einmal im Jahr wird dieses Ereignis noch heute „nachgeschwommen“. Das Schwimmbad befindet sich in einer Achse, die direkt auf die Insel ausgerichtet ist, so dass die Schwimmer im Schwimmbad das Gefühl haben, auf seiner Route nach Drangey schwimmen.
Das Schwimmbad Hofsós fügt sich harmonisch in die Landschaft ein und öffnet sich dem Blick auf den Ozean und die Insel Drangey. Das Gebäude schützt sowohl vor dem starken Nordwind als auch vor Störungen durch die Straße und das Dorf.
Architect
BASALT Architects
Laugavegur 51
101 Reykjavik
Iceland
Team
Jóhann Harðarsson, Marcos Zotes, Rósa Dögg Þorsteinsdóttir, Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir, Stefanía Sigfúsdóttir
Client
Steinunn Jónsdóttir, Lilja Pámadóttir
Photograph
Guðmundur Benediktsson, Rafn Sigurbjörnsson
Drawings
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Daylight
The building complex contains changing facilities, swimming pool and two Jacuzzis. The main construction Hofsós Swimming Pool is in situ cast concrete, clad with industrial glazing elements. The industrial glazing is translucent, allowing daylight to flood through but without being transparent. This gives a special experience and comfort in the changing rooms. Icelandic hand-made stones are used as flooring. The exterior lighting is minimized to experience the stars and Northern lights which are frequent in this area during wintertime.
Hofsós Swimming Pool is a donation from Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Lilja Pálmadóttir to the municipality of Hofsós.
Close to infinity
Hofsós Swimming Pool is quite simply magnificent. It may not be Olympic size, but because it has been built into the hillside above the sea, the views over to Drangey are breathtaking. Come rain or shine, the vista from the pool is a combination of marvelous different shades of blue; the clear blue color of the swimming pool itself, the green blue sea, the dark blue of the islands and mountains in the distance, and finally the blueness of the sky on a clear day.
The Hofsós swimming pool is not strictly an infinity pool, but the impression you get as you swim in the geothermal waters is that you’re right next to the sea’s edge.
