Coastal Monolith
Design Ethos
A fortress against the horizon. Perched on the jagged edge of the Icelandic coast, the Monolith is designed to withstand the fury of the North Atlantic. Cast in black concrete to mimic the surrounding basalt columns, the structure feels less like a house and more like a rock formation carved by the tide. It is a shelter for the sublime, standing stoic against the wind and rain.
Client
Confidential
Area
420 sqm
Year
2025
Team
Studio Arkhé
The exterior skin is textured black concrete, cast against rough timber formwork to catch the driving rain and salt spray. Over time, the building will weather and patina, becoming indistinguishable from the dark volcanic cliffs it sits upon. It embraces the beauty of the harsh environment.
Sanctuary is found within. The interior is a dark, warm cave, protected from the elements. Floor-to-ceiling glazing provides a front-row seat to the violence of the storms, safely separated by triple-glazed serenity. The fireplace serves as the heart of the home, a primal source of warmth against the cold blue exterior.
The detailing is brutal yet refined. Massive structural spans allow for uninterrupted views, while deep overhangs protect the glazing. The meeting of materials—smooth glass against rough concrete—symbolizes the tension between the fluid ocean and the solid land.
