Eagles Dream Snaefellsnes, West Iceland holiday home, Nature residence building images
Eagles Dream, Snaefellsnes, West Iceland
9 January 2024
Design: Gudmundur Jonsson
Location: Snæfellsnes, West Iceland
Photos: Gunnar Sverrisson
Eagles Dream, West Iceland Property
Set amid the enchanting haven of Snæfellsnes, West Iceland, Eagles Dream is the secluded residence designed by Gudmundur Jonsson, providing guests with the ultimate immersion into nature.
Resting on concrete columns and making use of sustainably sourced Kebony wood cladding, the architecture of the new home mirrors the cascades of mountain ridges enclosing the property, while simultaneously delivering an open-floor plan and a series of long-bay glazed windows that opens the interior to the dramatic panoramic views of the icy blue waters, greenery and peaks spread out in all directions.
Discovering a single eagle feather on the site showcased the rich scene of wildlife in vicinity of the home and gave inspiration to the concept for the house. As Jonsson describes, “the main idea for the elevated building above nature was to capture the essence that an Eagle has landed, prepared to fly in the landscape again’. In a commitment to preserve nature, there was no blasting involved in construction of the site. Concrete columns were instead built into the foundation of the earth and serve the purpose of elevating the house above the ground, allowing the local wildlife to flow beneath it.
Desiring a durable material which also maintains a naturally aesthetic appearance, designer Gudmundur Jonsson chose Kebony Clear wood for the cladding of the trapeze formation. “Kebony is a stable material, that adopts an optimal looking patina when ageing. It was important to have low-maintenance cladding on the house, therefore making Kebony Clear the perfect choice”, comments Jonsson.
Developed in Norway, Kebony transforms fast-growing FSC certified softwoods using a bio-based dual modification™ process, bypassing the deforestation of tropical hardwoods and limiting the environmental impact of the global construction industry. The patented Kebony® technology permanently alters sustainable softwoods, such as pine, into products with enhanced dimensional stability, durability and hardness, guaranteeing longevity and a high level of safety. In addition to Kebony’s reinforced structural qualities, Kebony is also a weather resistant material, making it perfect for withstanding the bracing conditions of Iceland and requiring no maintenance.
The natural finish of Kebony wood also effortlessly blends in with the landscape of Snæfellsnes, creating a seamless connection from the house to nature. Over time, the patina of the wood transitions from a rich brown colour to a unique silver-grey, harmonizing with the surrounding natural landscape. The wooden cladding continues inside the house, offering a sense of continuity between the interior and exterior. The walls of the home are adorned with veneer clad pine, pre-treated to match with the Kebony Clear wood applied to the exterior facade, making the wooden elements of the home homogenous with one another. The floors and bathroom walls are covered with the Icelandic Bluestone (Blágrýti), further establishing a material connection between the home and environment.
Reflecting on the project, Nina Landbø, Sales Manager of Kebony, comments: “Eagles Dream is an outstanding demonstration of Kebony’s commitment to preserving the natural landscape whilst also creating a unique modern design that will last for many years to come”
Architect: Gudmundur Jonsson – https://www.gudmundurjonsson.com/
Photography: Gunnar Sverrisson
Eagles Dream, Snaefellsnes, West Iceland images / information received 291124
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