An off-grid and thoughtful design in the Icelandic wilderness

The Heart of the House—project

Developed and built in collaboration with EJSA Architects (Iceland) and Structured Environment (structural engineers), the Heart of the House project is a remote wilderness shelter designed to support human presence in fragile natural environments with care, humility, and ingenuity. It reflects a deep respect for the Icelandic landscape: A place shaped by wind, water, and time – and offers a quiet refuge for those who venture into it.

Picture by ESJA Architecture

Everyone who has hiked across vast terrain, scaled a ridge, or followed a river deep into the highlands knows the profound effect of nature on body and soul. Heart of the House is designed as a resting place for these moments — after a long day of movement, exploration, and physical effort, this house becomes a place to gather, to eat, to reflect, and to sleep. Whether you’re surrounded by friends or completely alone, it brings comfort without removing you from the environment.

Off-grid living — Practical necessity meets purposeful design

Remote Icelandic locations rarely allow connection to the energy grid, and this building embraces that challenge. The house relies solely on renewable and naturally available resources: wind, sunlight (available half the year), and rainwater.

Water is collected on-site, heated, and used for daily activities such as showering, cooking, space heating, and sanitation. After use, it is filtered and returned to the environment with minimal impact. This closed-loop water system emphasizes a circular approach — water falls, serves, and returns — supporting life without depleting nature.

Electricity is provided by wind turbines, supplemented by solar panels during the brighter months. The system is optimized to support essential needs: lighting, cooking, charging devices, and powering a composting toilet. A compact ethanol fireplace offers additional warmth on colder days.

Design that supports both solitude and community

The architecture is composed of three modular volumes, which can be prefabricated and transported to the site. Together, they accommodate up to eight people, providing spaces for communal living as well as quiet retreat. The structure is modest in size but generous in spirit — blending into the landscape rather than dominating it.

Inside, the material palette is warm and minimal. Large openings frame views of the surroundings, reinforcing the feeling of being within nature, not just near it. The modules are arranged to foster both connection and intimacy, allowing visitors to share meals, reflect in silence, or rest comfortably through the changing seasons.

Picture by ESJA Architecture

Heart of the House is more than a shelter — it’s a framework for experiencing nature, for slowing down, and for living lightly. It offers the essentials, and in doing so, helps us reconnect with what’s truly necessary. A house, not just for the body — but for the heart.

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