In 2024, Reykjavik-based SP(R)INT STUDIO completed a meticulous architectural reinterpretation of Stöng, one of Iceland’s most renowned and frequently visited archaeological sites. The ruins of a Viking-era longhouse and associated outbuildings, Stöng is the first heritage site in Iceland to be designed with a focus on environmental and social sustainability.
Preserving a Viking-era longhouse
Stöng is nestled in the volcanic landscape of Þjórsárdalur, a valley in southern Iceland. The longhouse was destroyed and buried under a thick layer of ash during the volcanic eruption of Hekla, an active volcano, in 1104. The site was first excavated in 1939, leaving the exposed turf and stone foundations of the longhouse vulnerable to Iceland’s harsh weather. To protect the ruins, a shelter was erected, but quickly deteriorated. This led to the construction of a new shelter in 1957.
“The Viking-era longhouse at Stöng remains a rare and remarkably intact example of early Icelandic domestic architecture,” explains SP(R)INT STUDIO. “Instead of replacing the historic structure, the new intervention extends and transforms it, honouring its legacy while reimagining its presence within the landscape and public consciousness.”
The low-carbon reinterpretation of a cultural and historic landmark
Commissioned by The Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland, the project reinterprets a cultural and historic landmark. SP(R)INT STUDIO’s approach was to place architecture in the role of a mediating framework, between ruin and shelter, past and present, nature and culture. The studio retained and adapted the original 1957 shelter, cladding it in sustainably sourced larch. The roof is covered with lightweight, durable, and translucent corrugated polycarbonate roofing. The restrained material palette has an almost ethereal quality, while emphasising spatial clarity.
The original 1957 shelter.
Given the site’s ecological sensitivity and historical importance, the project adopted a comprehensive approach that prioritised embodied carbon reduction, energy efficiency, and long-term material durability. SP(R)INT STUDIO refrained from a reliance on active mechanical systems or high-tech solutions, both of which are inappropriate for Stöng’s cultural and historic setting. The project’s key architectural innovation lies in embedding low-carbon principles within a heritage restoration context.
Creating a visitor-friendly experience
The project’s scope includes a shelter for the longhouse ruins, a footbridge, visitor areas, and landscaping. The landscape is treated as an active element, with the shelter’s architecture aligning to the valley’s contours. Visitors are guided through varying degrees of interaction with the ruins and the surrounding terrain.
A newly raised entrance leads to a suspended platform, offering visitors an unobstructed overview of the excavated site. Light, air, and framed views animate the interior, preserving the openness of the original dwelling while providing protection from the elements.
The (Re)interpretation of Stöng
In the (Re)interpretation of Stöng, SP(R)INT STUDIO reframes preservation as an architectural act of adaptation. “By treating the original shelter as a cultural artefact, the project extends its life through careful calibration rather than replacement,” says the studio. “The design fosters accessibility and open-ended interpretation, avoiding didactic narratives in favour of experiential engagement.” Stöng’s reinterpretation offers a compelling setting to experience heritage and place within a dynamic Icelandic landscape.
