An interview with

You are the winner of the Rosa Barba Prize – How would you describe your project “Saxhóll Crater Stairway” and what is so special about it?
Our project is a simple stairway winding it´s way up the hillside of a 40 meter high ovalshaped crater. It creates a kind of an infinity walk as there is always something new around the bend. The 1,5 meter wide stairway is made of 3 meters long units that are connected like a chain or a necklace on the hillside.
I guess our project is special in it´s simplicity and if I may say beauty.

How did you approach the crater landscape?
We studied the crater´s topography very thoroughly and especially traced the already worn path up the hillside. Our approach was to make as minimal an impact on the landscape as possible, but still being safe and solid. We wanted it to blend in with the colours of the lava stones and the alpine vegetation.

What was the biggest challenge you were faced with when realizing the stairway?
The biggest challenge was to do the calculations right for the gradings and curving of the pathway and the correct amount of units. For the first time we had the crater surveyed with a drone. And we were not certain on how accurate that would be. But it all worked out in the end.

Iceland has a very special landscape – how do you cope with the harsh Icelandic circumstances when it comes to realize landscape architecture projects?
Most of our work is in urban settings with quite similar methods and results as in other nordic countries. But when we are working in landscapes and nature it´s a different thing. We have to take in account the strong forces of nature and not least the weather. This calls for strong and lasting sollutions. We approach our work in the countryside with great respect for the landscape and have blended feeling of excitement and anxiety.

What does Landslag EHF stand for?
Landslag wants to stand for respect for the natural and cultural environment and creativty for people in the urban environment.

What was the first thought that came into your mind when you realized that the Rosa Barba prize is now yours?
I took me quite a while to realize. I felt a bit like a thief that had taken something that someone else deserved. All the other finalists presented fantastic projects. But very soon the feeling changed into appreciation, pride and joy. And I thought that this achievement was priceless for my team and the profession of landscape architecture in Iceland.