From Earth: Earth Architecture in Iceland

The first Icelandic inhabitants built their homes from earth, and turf houses were still common in the early 20th century. Icelanders were not the only northern nation to build homes of turf and rock, but their turf houses are a remarkable phenomenon in world architectural history and are part of international cultural heritage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: University of Iceland Press

The first inhabitants of Iceland built their homes from the material that was closest at hand: the earth itself. In the early 20th century, more than half the Icelandic population were still living in turf houses, and a few dozen such buildings remain standing today. Icelanders were not the only northern nation, however, who built their homes of turf and rock: in the North Atlantic region, people were living in earth structures as recently as the early 20th century, although no trace of them remains today except in Iceland.The Icelandic turf house is a remarkable phenomenon in world architectural history. It is part of international cultural heritage, and one of Iceland’s most important contributions to global culture.

Weight: 2144g
Dimension: 248 x 307 x 39 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789935245465