NODA wishes to expand our collaboration and projects to other Arctic nations as a part of our new strategy. We are few and far between up north and we believe that we face similar challenges. Kjersti got the opportunity to travel to Iceland and spent her time meeting locals and exploring. This is how she describes her trip:
The language sounded the same, but I couldn’t understand. The houses had the same shapes. Some of them typical timber houses. Clad in – corrugated metal? Really nicely detailed, so it was not until moving really close that I noticed what was making me uncomfortable. I wanted to see timber cladding. I could at least “check off” one of the things that was uncanny. Weird how much the material environment affects us. Well, we need architects for this reason, right?
A man fell in a hole and disappeared.
This happened in January in Grindavík. Since then the mentality of the people there has completely shifted. Once the volcanic eruption was ongoing the main attitude was to return.
This was told to me on my first day by a local architect. Well, a Norwegian architect Hans-Olav from Tröd, who has lived in Iceland almost as long as I have existed.
The man who disappeared, 50 year old Ludvik, was working to fill the crevasses when he disappeared. The crack seemed to be thin and shallow, so Ludvik was set to fill it. Like a pot-hole. Turned out to be 40m deep, expanding as it went down with water at the bottom. There are cracks like this all over Grindavík. Many not visible. Like the one going through a local sports hall. Only covered by astroturf. After discovering this, people wish to leave. Particularly families with young kids. Imagine watching your child playing football and disappearing. It’s so absurd it’s bordering on the laughable.
But this is completely serious. The value of these people’s property is zero. Who wants to move to Grindavík? I met a man during Christmas – when the eruption was ongoing – and I said (naively) “I hope your house is ok” (The man was fine. We were both safely in Norway at the time). He answered “I hope the lava takes it. Then the insurance will pay for a new house. Somewhere else. It’s impossible to sell it now so I am stuck with it.”
Fortunately for him, Iceland has recently passed a bill to buy all private property in Grindavík, making it possible to relocate elsewhere. Government spending €411 million on useless property. However, this doesn’t cover the cost of moving your home.
RELOCATING
Or your business for that matter. Gríndavik is a fishing town. At Iceland Innovation week one of these companies talked about their experience of the eruption. How from one day to the next they went from busy production, to having to take care of 10 staff (many young foreign workers) AND millions of living fish in tanks on land. Their processing plant was out of action. On the fly they had to figure out alternative production methods – while keeping an eye on the eruption – AND figuring out what their next steps would be. Where to relocate to? Today they have moved to a temporary facility out of Grindavík, but they can’t turn it permanent as the logistics are not in place. And there is not space for the infrastructure they need. Meanwhile they are spending a lot of energy on worker retention as they need them to join wherever they end up. It could be a remote part of the island. Unemployment is low, meaning it’s hard to recruit.
INTERNATIONALS
There are therefore many internationals in Iceland. Something that has increased drastically the past 10 years. Particularly in the young workforce. I visited Hafnar Haus – a co-working space for creatives. Here I met a Scot, a Brit, a German, a Canadian, a Swiss, an American and one Icelandic person. Many passing through – working from their laptops in whatever country they fancied.
TOURISM
Tourism is also a driver for the international workforce. Like northern Norway, Iceland is a popular place to visit for the nature. In need of strategies for coping. Guiding the visitors to have a good trip, creating growth for the locals. I met with Miðtöð hönnunar og arkitektúrs (Iceland Design and Architecture) who also work with projects (like us in NODA). Like this project on sustainable tourism with «design in nature» approach. https://natnorth.is/
“NODA of Iceland”
Miðtöð hönnunar og arkitektúrs (Iceland Design and Architecture, IDA) lead by Hatla, consists of around 5 people and is located together with the architectural association with one employee, Gerdur. It was formed as a government initiative, but in stead of making a ministry department they made an organisation. Therefore they have a national initiative and funding. Iceland Design and Architecture is owned by the Association of Icelandic Architects, the Icelandic Society of Furniture and Interior Architects, the Federation of Icelandic Landscape Architects, the Association of Icelandic Product and Industrial Designers, the Icelandic Association of Ceramic Artists, the Association of Icelandic Fashion Designers, the Icelandic Textile Guild, the Icelandic Goldsmith’s Association, and the Association of Icelandic Graphic Designers.
These 6 fields are also working with Islandsstofa (like Innovation Norway, but in Iceland). Kristjana – head of culture and creative industries – supports projects through an own initiative “creative industries”. Much like Innovasjon Norges similar initiative. That is unique for Troms and Finnmark. (That’s why they support DARK.) Islandsstofa´s greatest aim was export and business and when Kristjana said “you get the most for your money if you invest in culture” I became very happy. That this, typically business oriented organisation, recognised the importance – and value – of design and architecture. How surroundings and culture makes a place – that people want to visit.
DesignMarch
– which was actually 24-28 April – is a lot like DARK, just bigger. Was another initiative run by The area above the luggage claim was and exhibition of Icelandic design products. There were also signs around town still. Imagine a DARK – DesignMarch colab!?
GOVERNMENT
Recently a new design and architecture strategy has been passed on a governmental level. «Design and Architecture Polity until 2030.» I received a two page summary that I will actually read. (Unlike a typical 80-page-full-of-text planning document)
LOCAL DESIGN
I was also positively surprised at finding high quality local design and handicraft shops nestled among the tourist shops on the high street. A jeweller with a showroom up front and a workshop that he emerged from when I entered. Being able to do his trade and be a shopkeeper at the same time. Saving costs, but also getting sales by being located front and centre to potential buyers. Ready to welcome tourists who are wanting genuine souvenirs.
DESIGN SCHOOL
Perhaps together with the next generation? I found exhibitions of children’s design both in the Nordic House and in Garðabær town hall. hönnunarsafn Íslands – the design museum, lead by Sigríður, has dedicated a large area for design school and has through the new government plan —— has employed a 50% design school teacher for the next 3 years. We found many similarities in our approach. Making personas – so the children are “designing for someone” having to put themselves in their shoes. Sigríður also explained how the kids work together – developing their collaborative skills. And that when they get going the things they make are beyond her wildest imagination. It was like listening to myself describe NODAs design school. Although I was quite jealous of their space.
UNIVERSITY
Listaháskóli Íslands offer courses in design and architecture. The architecture course is quite «young» becoming a university in 2000. Offering graphic design – then later architecture. Now the second year of master of architecture students are rolling out. They are focusing on their own context in the education – as Iceland is such a special place. Much like Northern Norway. Difference being we only offer landscape architecture at master level.
The materials are sparse and heating widely available, resulting in thin layers of insulation being installed in houses. 10cm. Despite the harsh weather. The volcanic activity offers «free» heating – which is cheaper than the cost of insulation. This needs to be imported to the island.
LANGUAGE
I ended up talking English with Sigríður. Every meeting started with the question – what language?
Like on the Faroe Islands, I still find it strange being in a country that can understand both my languages. With an own language I cannot understand. Being bilingual (Norwegian and English) I have always been able to “hide” through one of my languages when abroad. Here I feel weirdly exposed. Not that I have too many things I need to say that shouldn’t be heard. No secrets or nasty statements.
This week I have spoken a multitude of languages in single conversations. Especially when spending time with the ICE Arctic Youth Community who I was travelling with. The network created by Sør-Varanger Utvikling for entrepreneurial people aged 18-36 from Greenland, Faroe Islands, Norway and Iceland.
THANK YOU
To everyone who I met – I have mentioned most above – but there were more and you are not forgotten!
And to ICE arctic youth community who funded the travel.
WHAT NOW?
Although premature in terms of specific projects, this trip was very useful in terms of understanding the workings of Icelandic Design and Architecture scene. I have met many interesting people I believe would make great teams for future projects. When either party has a project idea it will now be much easier to get started! Projects can easily be run online (we know this after the pandemic), but oh so much easier if the first meeting has been in the same room.
Exhibition of childrens design at The Nordic House.
