Pool with the ‘Coolest’ View

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May 8

Four hours north and east of Reykeyvik, the small village of Hofsós houses a delightful discovery. On the edge of the icy ocean, a geothermally warmed swimming pool overlooks Drangey island and the northern fjords of Iceland.

The Icelandic Grettis Saga inspired this design by BASALT Architects in 2010. The saga describes how the longtime outlaw Grettir swam to the island of Drangey with his brother, fleeing their enemies on the main land. This eternity pool blurs the edge of the shore for the swimmer so you feel as though you are in the nearby ocean. You can feel the cold breeze over the waters surface but unlike Grettir’s swim, the warm water compensates for the chilly wind. The geothermally warmed swimming pool and hot tub provide the best view of the northern Icelandic fjords.

As we walked down and through the front doors, we saw a glimpse of the eternity pool past the lifeguard’s desk. The entry fee was around $8 per adult (less than half our American community center). My husband and I split ways, and I took our 1 year old daughter through the women’s side. It was a chilly day, but the changing rooms were warm through the Icelandic stone floors. The translucent walls of channel glass allowed natural light to illuminate the changing rooms while preserving privacy. The layout of the changing rooms, restrooms and showers was simple and efficient. Multiple bays of lockers allow privacy, with central benches for changing. We put on the appropriate swimwear and hit the showers on our way out.

Out on the pool deck, I enjoyed the geometric basalt rocks that held the hillside back. The hillside and shower building protected the pool area from the harsh northern wind. The private pool deck hid the cottages of the town and isolated us from the world. In that moment - we lost track of time. Not the time of day - but the space created by this building disconnected us from history. Our only indicator that we were will in 2017, was the style of swimsuits and pool noodles.

The pool supplied children’s floaties and a slide. We visited many restaurants and establishments in Iceland who anticipated the needs of families traveling with children. While our daughter discovered a new game or toy, we enjoyed the reprieve from directive parenting. At the Hofsós swimming pool, we relaxed into the warm waters and absorbed the great landscape all around us.

How could a town of 190 people build this great amenity that serves locals and attracts travelers from around the world? We heard this project was funded by the inheritance of a generous townswoman after she passed away. She desired to leave behind a community amenity that would benefit her town for many generations. BASALT Architects designed this subtle modern concrete building to elevate, not overwhelm, the surrounding vernacular infrastructure. Inserting the building into the landscape and building around it with local materials made the shower building feel as though it was always here. The swimming pool a marvelous addition to the town of Hofsós and brilliantly integrated into the landscape and local Icelandic legends.

This project presents a wonderful story through its design, founding, local materials, and integration with Icelandic culture. The local residents benefit from the revenue and sense of community that surround this building. It makes me wonder what is possible for other rural communities in America. What community amenity would tell your story to the next generation of citizens and visitors?

For more architectural images, check out this ArchDaily article: https://www.archdaily.com/555723/hofsos-swimming-pool-basalt-architects