Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre

building, Reykjavík, Iceland

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July 20, 2026

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The Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre, designed by Henning Larsen Architects in collaboration with Studio Ólafur Elíasson and Batteríið Architects, is a striking architectural landmark in Reykjavík, Iceland. Inspired by Iceland's natural beauty, particularly the northern lights and the surrounding scenery, the building features a multifaceted glass structure that echoes the country's rocky coast. Its glass panels are designed to reflect the light from Faxa Bay and the sky, creating a dynamic visual display.1

Henning Larsen, a Danish architect, was known for his site-specific designs rooted in Scandinavian Modernism. The Harpa Concert Hall received the Mies van der Rohe Award for architecture in 2013. Reykjavík itself, meaning "Smoky Bay," is Iceland's capital and largest city, located on the coast and known for its geothermal heating and modern appearance.12

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Henning Larsen
… Award for architecture for the Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre (2011). With a site on the shores of Faxa Bay, the architects drew their inspiration from the northern lights and the surrounding Icelandic scenery to create a multifaceted glass structure whose mass echoed Iceland’s rocky coast and whose…
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… Award for architecture for the Harpa Reykjavík Concert Hall and Conference Centre (2011). With a site on the shores of Faxa Bay, the architects drew their inspiration from the northern lights and the surrounding Icelandic scenery to create a multifaceted glass structure whose mass echoed Iceland’s rocky coast and whose…
Read More