Icelandic Construction: Building in the Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland's architecture and building style are very special and unique. Although it is characterised by Scandinavian influences, it was also influenced by the lack of native trees on the island. Stone and later concrete became popular building materials. In addition, houses covered in grass and peat are not uncommon. Currently, the Icelandic Building Authority is responsible for the planning, control and enforcement of laws and regulations. Swapp Agency can assist you in contacting the local authorities, engineers or architects if you have any questions.

Construction in Iceland, land of futuristic projects

If you are looking for current regulations or taxes to build in the country, these are two examples of things to consider. First, the building safety fee and second, the Department of Electrical Safety clock.

The building safety fee is 0.045‰ of the sum insured of the property insured against fire, regardless of whether it is a pure fire insurance or a composite insurance with fire insurance. You do not pay this tax directly, but the insurer will certainly pass it on to you in the form of costs.

The Electrical Safety Department issues licences to electrical companies and takes care of the recording and investigation of accidents and damage caused by electrical sources. You cannot continue working without their authorisation.

Iceland is one of the most futuristic places to build at the moment. Sustainable criteria dominate building trends and projects using 100 per cent renewable energy are the norm in the country. The relevant laws and regulations have not been translated into English and almost everything is written only in Icelandic, which is an obstacle for other countries to learn from Iceland's experience. At Swapp Agency, however, we are trying to break this trend and export the core know-how for sustainable building projects.

One example of this is the global Reinventing Cities competition for innovative carbon-free and resilient urban projects, in which a group of Icelandic experts won first prize with their development called “Basalt”. The Icelandic capital Reykjavík owes its name to the geothermal springs that steam out of the ground. The hidden forces beneath the terrain feed much of Reykjavík´s heating network, but this remarkable system is mostly hidden from sight and therefore from mind. The project brings this magnificent force back to light by incorporating visual, tactile and practical elements into the design of the site and the building. In this way, the project ensures that the city’s relationship with nature is brought back to the fore.

The co-living concept is in line with the growing demand for a simpler lifestyle with fewer possessions and more togetherness. It also offers residents the opportunity to interact with plants as part of their daily lives while raising their awareness of the natural resources that make this possible.

Get in touch with Icelandic professionals

If you want comprehensive advice on ESG models and sustainability in construction or in relation to the construction or development of projects in the country, contact Swapp Agency . We are a leading group of experts in various fields. Our professional team will be happy to assist you in learning about procedures, mechanisms and models in the implementation of ESG criteria or laws and regulations in Iceland. Regardless of the industry or sector, we are ready to answer all your questions.