THG Arkitektar produces an elegant fusion of the historical with the contemporary for the Iceland Parliament Hotel, Reykjavik

The Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton in Reykjavik is more than just a hotel; it’s a complex project combining different ages in history with the collective memories of Iceland. The hotel’s architectural structure consists of seven buildings intertwined in a harmonious embrace. The former telecommunications headquaters, Iceland’s first school for girls, and Independence Hall are three existing constructions dating back to different ages in history which are combined with new constructions to create a complex capable of interpreting the DNA of the place and its deepest spirit. "We had to make sure that every single piece of the story fitted into a fluid narration,” emphasises Paolo Gianfrancesco, Italian architect and partner of THG Arkitektar.

Iceland is permeated with a unique history, and architecture reflects the spirit of the place; the Iceland Parliament Hotel was designed to become a tangible reflection of this identity. Ceramic surfaces by Ariostea, FMG Fabbrica Marmi e Graniti, Iris Ceramica and SapienStone, all Iris Ceramica Group brands, were chosen with care to express the spirit of the place. Pietra di Basalto by Iris Ceramica, Quarzite and MaxFine maxi-slabs by FMG, Fragmenta Full Body by Ariostea and more collections by Group brands were selected not only to capture Iceland’s rough beauty but to offer durability and resistance, and to help create pleasing, cosy atmospheres, as in the case of Alpi Chiaro Venato by SapienStone, used in the bar countertop, or convey a sense of tranquillity and well-being, as in the Marmi MaxFine surfaces by FMG appearing in various parts of the spa.
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The cosy, refined atmosphere of the interiors of the Iceland Parliament Hotel is achieved thanks to an intricate play of different materials, colours and shapes. Every little detail is carefully planned, from the common areas, rooms and spa to the outer cladding, where a number of the new buildings are covered with Quarzite by FMG in the colour Ghiaccio (Ice), whose natural stone-like effect dialogues with the materials around it and the history of the place. "We wanted to give the hotel a house-like character and, at the same time, offer guests a journey into the history of Iceland," explains architect Paolo Gianfrancesco. Ceramic surfaces by Iris Ceramica Group brands help create a cosy, refined atmosphere, combining modern design with a touch of Icelandic tradition.

The Iceland Parliament Hotel is not only an architectural masterpiece, but has had an important social and economic impact right from its construction. The grand project took seven years to complete, with the involvement of numerous companies and skilled workers from various different parts of the world, with the goal of producing a facility that would welcome tourists luxuriously while paying tribute to the city of Reykjavik and its history. "We are in the world’s most northerly capital, and the visitors returning from particularly cold outings are welcomed into a warm, relaxing space with a wow effect," says architect Gianfrancesco of THG Arkitektar, emphasising the hotel’s social role in receiving and pampering visitors to the country.

The Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton represents a harmonious blend of history with modernity, joining past and present in a timeless architectural embrace. Ceramic surfaces by Iris Ceramica Group brands add a touch of refinement and authenticity to a hotel that is more than just a luxurious refuge: it is a living story of the spirit and culture of Iceland, a place where the historic and the contemporary come together in a charming warm embrace.

(Agnese Bifulco)

Images courtesy of Iris Ceramica Group, photos by Claudio Parada Nunes, Gunnar Sverrisson

Hotel group: Berjaya Iceland Hotels
Design and project management: THG Arkitektar
Project architect: Freyr Frostason
Leading architect & Interior designer: Paolo Gianfrancesco
Construction designer : María Gómez De S. Alises
Architect : Heiðar Samúelsson
Architect : Grímur Víkingur Magnússon
Project Manager : Samúel Guðmundsson
Start activities: 2015
Opening year: December 2022
Photos: Claudio Parada Nunes, Gunnar Sverrisson.

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