The National Theatre of Iceland (Þjóðleikhúsið)
About
Situated in the historical centre of Reykjavík, the theatre building itself is iconic, being the first edifice in Iceland constructed and designed for the performing arts.
The theatre’s design, by state architect of Iceland Gudjon Samuelsson, is based on old Icelandic folktales about humans being invited into elf palaces inside giant rocks, entering a transcendental world of colour, lights, dance, and music. The Main Hall’s ceiling is inspired by basalt column formations.
The material that was used on the outside was the architect‘s invention. Three types of rock, obsidian, quartz and silver berg, were crushed together and the concrete was coated with this material. This gave the house its special appearance and subsequently crushed rock, or stoning, was used widely on Icelandic houses.