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A proposal for a year-round retreat for individuals to learn, contribute and create using the local ‘Lopapeysa’ (wool) and helping the community of Stöðvarfjörður of by providing a local place of production for their fleece.
This project explored how architecture can respond to landscape through in-situ photography, painting, and drawing (plan, section, and perspective). It framed land as both a physical and cultural context, engaging local materials and practices while promoting sustainable use of a specific site.
location
Stöðvarfjörður, Iceland
year
May - July 2015
program
Creative Retreat + Facilitiesfor Tent Cities + Community Centre
supervisor
Roger Mullin
university/year
Dalhousie University/M1
photography + graphics
Kara Burman
The proposal was set in Stöðvarfjörður, a small town on Iceland’s north coast working to rebuild its population and economy through creative industries. Known for its unique “Lopapeysa” wool, the surrounding farmland supports sheep for both meat and fleece. The project aimed to expand the town’s creative capacity by introducing fleece-processing facilities for locals and wool-working retreats for visitors.
Four key offerings shaped the design: a seasonal Wool Drop-Off near the highway for farmers; a year-round Processing and Fabric Studio with spaces for cleaning, dyeing, spinning, and weaving; a small greenhouse to grow herbs and roots for natural dyes; and simple accommodations for visiting participants.
The architectural approach combined permanent and impermanent structures to suit seasonal use. The Wool Drop-Off and greenhouse used lightweight wooden frames with fabric or plastic membranes, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly. In contrast, the permanent studio used fabric-form concrete, exploring how flexible formwork and rigid materials interact to create durable yet responsive spaces.
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