Drangar by Studio Granda nominated to the Icelandic Design Awards 2020

We are proud to announce the second nomination to the Icelandic Design Awards 2020 - Drangar by Studio Granda. During the next days we will announce the nominations for the year 2020 and the award ceremony will be digital on the 29th of January.

FROM THE JURY

"Drangar is an ambitious transformational design project from Studio Granda and an excellently projected example of a demanding architectural subject in contemporary Iceland. The transformation of several old farm buildings into tourist accommodation is meticulously carried out. The weathered buildings are left more or less untouched to preserve their atmosphere and historical context. This is for example evident in the new main guest building, without windows and doors the old outer walls stand open and raw, doubled with interior walls that allows for an impressive play with shadows and rhythm, thus enhancing their architectural quality and aura. The interior areas and spaces are framed with warm oak and colors. Colors in different tones and textures are used to give a nod to the former use of the farm buildings, be it the color of bovins or the glossiness of tractors. Detailing is of great quality, materials framing the spaces together around the life within. The project is an important example and sets the standard for an increased number of buildings, not the least in the rural areas, that call for redefinition and reconstruction due to age and new and changed roles.“

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Drangar is a large estate in Skógarströnd on the northern coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula

including a handful of islands in the Breiðfjörður archipelago. Until recently it was a working

farm with a motley collection of buildings, built in the early eighties, according to standard,

state issue, blueprints. When the present owners acquired the property, it was in a decrepit

state of repair and some buildings had even collapsed of their own accord.

ABOUT STUDIO GRANDA

Studio Granda was established in Reykjavík by Margrét Harðardóttir & Steve Christer in 1987.

Production and art direction by Blóð Stúdíó

The Icelandic Design Award honours the best Icelandic design and architecture annually. The importance of design in our society, culture and business has been growing steadily, and it is therefore vital to increase the understanding of good design and highlight the value of quality.

Celebrating achievement and excellence, the Icelandic Design Award is given to a designer, a team, a studio or an architect in recognition of an outstanding new work, object, project or collection. The award is given to a recent project that demonstrates creative thinking, resourceful solutions, thorough presentation and professional methodology throughout the design process. Best investment in design recognises successful investment in design or architecture in the past year. It is awarded over to a company that has incorporated design in the core of its operations to create value and increase competitiveness.

During the next days we will announce the nominations for the year 2020 and the award ceremony will be digital on the 29th of January.

The Icelandic Design Award is established by Iceland Design and Architecture in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts, the Museum of Design and Applied Art, Promote Iceland, Landsvirkjun and SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries.