Grjótagjá is a collection of three small caves located near Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland, and features one of the country’s most famous and beautiful geothermal hot springs inside. The caves are all in close proximity, with two of them just 50 meters apart, and are located on Vogar farmland. Sitting on the tectonic divide between Europe and America, the caves were first discovered back in the 18th century when the outlaw Jón Markússon made them his home. The jagged rocks, total darkness, and the area’s reputation for being the home of trolls made it the perfect hideout for the criminal, as most law-abiding citizens avoided the lava caves. They became popular in 1940 when they were re-discovered by students travelling in Iceland. The landowners then created new entrances so that they could bathe in the geothermal waters. With an idyllic temperature of 39-40 degrees, the caves became popular with other locals, with one cave becoming a dedicated women’s cave, Kvennagjá, and another for men, Karlagj
Stofu is a family of lightweight composite structures, devoted to warming weary travelers as they explore and indulge Iceland’s world-renown landscapes. Inspired by the initial users of the baths (wanderers, explorerers, tresspassers) Stofu utilizes the most minimally invasive approach to building permanent structures: they are glorified arhcitectural tents. Composed of durable ETFE insulating cushions and flexible metal trusswork, STOFU is provides a safe area for refuge within the landscape, emanating importance through light and unique form.
