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On the ground in Iceland: Street-level differences, Part 2

By Rain Noe - March 29, 2010

in Object Culture

While walking around early-morning Reykjavik, I noticed the weather is as crappy as it is in England--grey, cold, drizzly--but the buildings here are made a heck of a lot more cheerful-looking with bright, pop-py paint.

One presumed effect on design of constant precipitation is that there are transom windows everywhere, or at least windows that open like transoms, hinged at the top. With these you can get ventilation without rain getting all over your sills.

I stopped at a convenience store and discovered the guys at Frito-Lay International are working their misleading marketing magic:

Then it was off to find something more substantial to photograph. I found it here, a few blocks away: Hallgrimskirkja Church.

This impressive concrete church was erected by the Vikings in 1110 A.D., I think--I wasn't reading the brochure very carefully so it's also possible it was completed in 1986. But I think we both know which version of the story sounds better. I'm gonna stick with Leif the Concrete-Pourer.

And check out the interior's bad-ass Pimp My Pipe Organ.

o

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Kristine

14 years ago

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I love looking at these little glimpses into iclandic living. I like the colors on the buildings too.
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Rkuchinsky

14 years ago

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FYI, according to Wikipedia -

State Architect Gudjon Samuelsson's [there should be some accents and different letters in his name but for reason the character set isn't allowed in comments] design of the church was commissioned in 1937. He is said to have designed it to resemble the basalt lava flows of Iceland's landscape.[3] It took 38 years to build the church. Construction work began in 1945 and ended in 1986, the landmark tower being completed long before the church's actual completion. The crypt beneath the choir was consecrated in 1948, the steeple and wings were completed in 1974.[3] The nave was consecrated in 1986.

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Lu

14 years ago

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So interesting to discover Iceland this way, I've always wanted to go somedays.
Hope there will be a lot more "On the ground in Iceland" !
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