ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, Iceland - Photographed 2016
I photographed the striking ION Adventure Hotel during a 2016 visit—part of a personal architectural exploration of Iceland’s bold landscape architecture. Designed by Minarc (Erla Ingjaldsdóttir & Tryggvi Thorsteinsson) and completed in 2013, the hotel was thoughtfully adapted from an old power-plant dormitory. It now perches on steel stilts above moss‑covered lava fields near Mt. Hengill and Thingvellir National Park, creating a seamless extension of its dramatic surroundings.
Design & Inspiration:
Inspired by the rugged terrain and volcanic forms, the building uses prefabricated, panelized systems that echo hardened lava and blend with the basalt landscape.
Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows frame natural features like glacier fields, steam vents, and the Northern Lights, inviting the external environment into interior spaces.
Sustainability & Awards:
•Built with geothermal heating and hot water systems, graywater recycling through lava filtration, and extensive use of recycled and local materials.
•Winner of the 2014 World Boutique Hotel Award for Europe’s best sustainable boutique hotel.
•Recognized at the 2020 World Design Awards (honorable mention) for its innovative blend of local expression in an urban context.
My Perspective:
My images highlight how ION’s sculptural form and panoramic glass facades interact with Iceland’s ever-shifting light. Elevated on stilts, the building seems to float between earth and sky, a testament to human ingenuity living in harmony with the raw forces of nature.
