'ylja' retreat in iceland outlines a cluster of solid timber volumes

Ylja House by ED|DE enjoys views OF Lake Úlfljótsvatn

ED|DE – Erna Daniela Design Studio takes over the construction of ‘Ylja’, a summer house located in a rural area in the municipality of Grimsnes, Iceland. The residence is named after the word for ‘warmth’ as the shelter and symbol of unity for the users, a Mexican-Icelandic family. The natural context holds one of the main focal points of the design as the structure situates near the shore of Lake Úlfljótsvatn, one of Iceland’s most important bodies of water. The cluster of solid volumes forms glazed openings offering views of the lake, the ever-changing fields, and the mountains, while seamlessly blending with the natural landscape. With weather and climate standing as the main constraint, the construction held during the summer months follows a series of restrictions determined in terms of square meters, materials, and heights. Lerki wood cladding coats the facades of the house achieving uniformity and cohesion while framing the landscape.

all images by Erna Daniela López Córdova

neutral color palette and subtle materials adorn Ylja’s interior

The internal layout of the house is formed around the central dining area following the rich Mexican culinary culture. The space is distributed according to the particular customs of the multicultural family with common gathering areas requiring great prominence. The design team opts for a neutral color palette avoiding generating an outstanding contrast with the immediate context. The natural tone of the CLT laminate wood is used, integrating subtle accents of green, black, and white as a secondary color. The house features a hot tub, attending to the customary habit in Iceland, a septic tank, as there are no drainage connections in the area, a geothermal water supply, radiant floor heating, and good thermal insulation.

lerki wood cladding coats the facades of the house achieving uniformity

the cluster of solid volumes forms glazed openings offering views of the lake

timber box-like volumes compose a warm home adjacent to Lake Úlfljótsvatn

a neutral color palette avoids generating an outstanding contrast with the immediate context

the internal layout of the house is formed around the central dining area

the Icelandic natural context blends with Mexican cultural element for an intriguing design

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project info:

name: Ylja House
designer: ED|DE – Erna Daniela Design Studio | @edde_arquitectura

location: Grimsnes, Iceland

photography: Erna Daniela López Córdova

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom