Striking, Easily Assembled Cabins Will Become Symbols for Shelter and Safety Along Remote Icelandic Trekking Paths

Stockholm-based architecture firm Utopia Arkitekter has designed Skýli, bright blue cabins that are popping up in one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes. The idea came from a desire to develop a structure which could be easily placed along some of the most famous trekking trails in Iceland. Not only are the lodges striking and beautiful, they can be easily constructed and are built to withstand the harshest weather conditions.

Skýli means “shelter” in Icelandic, and the cabin’s image takes cues from its surroundings. The outer shell of the cabin is painted a bright blue, giving the shelter a characteristic of the colorful housing found in the streets of Reykjavik. Additionally, the repeated triangular gable form making up the structure takes inspiration from the traditional roof shape of Icelandic cabins or huts. The Skýli will be conspicuous against any landscape, making it easy to locate and a notable symbol of shelter and safety.

Skýli were carefully designed to be self-sufficient and fully equipped, and prepared for trekkers in emergency situations. Heating is generated by the people inhabiting the cabin and controlled by small, manually regulated vents installed throughout the four triangular areas. A rainwater catchment system, additionally, filters water into self-draining containers within the outer shell to supply each cabin with water for washing, and once purified, cooking and drinking.

The cabin uses a solar panel and battery to cover basic energy requirements such as lighting and the charging of devices. In addition to this, when these sources are not enough, light and other energy devices can be charged and used through cranking a man-powered generator.

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