Guðlaug Bath, Akranes, Iceland

Architects: Basalt Architects
Text: Eszter Götz
Photos: Ragnar Th. Sigurðsson – Arctic Images

Langisandur Beach, is a popular outdoor recreation area for locals and a somewhat hidden gem to visitors. The spectacular view from the pool includes the Faxaflói bay and Reykjavík city skyline across the ocean. The goal of the project was to boost public health by bolstering the area‘s potential for outdoor recreation and to meet the needs of current- and future users. Langisandur is unique in many respects. It is Iceland’s only natural bathing beach in an urban setting and the only beach with a Blue Flag certification. Langisandur has protection status because of its landscape, nature and bird-life. The project design was funded by the Jón Gunnlaugsson and Guðlaug Gunnlaugsdóttir memorial fund who’s role was to enrich community life in Akranes. Further funds came from the township and government grants. The architecture brief was simple; a hot pool placed anywhere by the beach.

General Architecture: Basalt Architects
Architects: Hrólfur Karl Cela, Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir, Marcos Zotes
Fellow designers: Guðjón Kjartansson, Jón Guðmundsson
Engineering: Mannvit Engineers
Lighting: Liska Lighting Designers
Construction company: Árni Geir Sveinsson – Ístak
Client: Akranes önkormányzata & Jón Gunnlaugsson and Guðlaug Gunnlaugsdóttir Memorial Fund