An outdoor pool, more hot tubs and a steam bath will be some of the new additions to historic Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, the only swimming pool in downtown Reykjavík.
It was announced on Tuesday that VA Architects had won first prize in a design contest on extension of Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, Mbl.is reports.
Their design includes an outdoor swim area on the west side of the listed building, with a glass extension which the selection committee praised for not spoiling the façade of the 1937 building.
Amongst the new additions is a 25 metre long outdoor pool, brand new changing rooms for women and bigger changing rooms for men, new hot tubs and a wading pool.
VA Architects’ design proposes minimum changes needed on the interiors of the old building to connect it to the extension.
That’s something that the prize jury appreciated especially. “The adaptation to Sundhöll Reykjavíkur is extremely well executed where the transparent extension contrasts the heavier style of the Sundhöll,” said in the jury’s statement.
Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, one of Grapevine’s Institutions, was designed by Guðjón Samúelsson, the state architect of Iceland, and built between 1929 and 1937.
This is the first time in Icelandic architectural history that a design contest is held on extension and alteration of a listed building.
See photos and graphics of the prize design.
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