Hallgrimskirkja: Why does this modern masterpiece (literally) look out of this world?

Happy Friday folks,

Welcome to the highlight of your week: The House of Wisdom.

Believe it or not, this modern building is not a spaceship. It’s the Hallgrimskirkja, in Iceland, built only 38 years ago. And it’s not like your ordinary modern skyscraper, it represents something deeper about culture and history...

Sit Back. Relax. And grab your cup of tea. Let’s dive in:

Towering over Reykjavik, stands Hallgrimskirkja — a church named after the Icelandic poet and cleric Hallgrímur Pétursson. When you look at it, the first thing that strikes out at you, is the incredible 240-foot spire. And the design is amazing. Why? Because it might even seem quite familiar…

In fact, it is inspired by the actual landscape: the volcanic beauty of the Icelandic landscape. But what makes it even more interesting is the addition of modernism, something you don’t normally see in modern architecture inspired by nature.

And that’s because Iceland’s architectural journey is deeply tied to its history and environment. For centuries, Icelanders adapted to their harsh landscape by constructing turf houses.

These homes, made from layers of stone, soil, and grass, were designed to provide insulation against the unforgiving climate. Timber, a scarce resource, was often imported and used sparingly. This resourcefulness defined Icelandic architecture until the 20th century, when modern materials like concrete became much more widely available, allowing for greater creativity and durability.

After centuries under Norwegian and Danish rule, Iceland sought to forge its own cultural and artistic path. With it, came the push for independence, falling hand in hand with a vision for a new national architectural identity.

Then came the turning point of it all, the devastating Reykjavik fire of 1915, destroying the identity of what Reykjavik was so well known for — as well as its iconic Norwegian timber houses…

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT: Our Subscriptions are finally live!

You can now subscribe to directly support The House of Wisdom and receive sneak peeks plus bonus content before anybody else.

Thank You as always!

Gudjon Samuelsson, Iceland’s first state architect, was tasked with rebuilding. And his designs were very interesting... He fused early European modernism with Iceland’s natural landscapes, setting the stage for this new era of architecture.

But above all else, came Hallgrimskirkja — Samuelsson’s crowning achievement. Commissioned in 1937, the soaring façade mimics basalt columns like those at Svartifoss waterfall, while its angular forms evoke glaciers and lava flows.

Samuelsson envisioned a structure that wasn’t just built in Iceland but born of it — a building that mirrored the untamed beauty of the island’s landscapes. And this is why he wanted to use local rocks like Icelandic spar, tying the structure physically and spiritually to its surroundings.

Construction then began in 1945, but progress was slow.

Building such an ambitious structure in a small, isolated nation presented logistical challenges. It took over 40 years to complete, with the church finally being completed in 1986.

But there was also another touch to it: Gothic Revival.

That’s because Samuelsson was inspired by what he saw in Gothic architecture. He incorporated Gothic elements to evoke a sense of grandeur, verticality, and timelessness (which is what you see in the church’s tower).

And that’s why you find this influence in its interior. The clean, vertical lines and vaulted ceilings echo the sense of upward movement found in Gothic cathedrals, guiding the eye and spirit on reaching the height of spirituality.

Yet, unlike the ornate decorations typical of Gothic interiors, Hallgrimskirkja adopted a more minimalist approach, emphasizing light and space over decoration.

Hallgrimskirkja also paved the way for other remarkable Icelandic modernist buildings. Its influence can be seen in structures like Stykkishólmskirkja and Mosfellskirkja.

Stykkishólmskirkja, located in the coastal town of Stykkishólmur, reflects the same commitment to linking architecture with nature. Designed by architect Jon Haraldsson, its curved, white structure resembles a glacier or a wave (depending on how you look at it).

Mosfellskirkja, on the other hand, takes inspiration from Iceland’s traditional turf houses. Its angular, low-profile design blends seamlessly into the landscape.

But there’s another piece to the puzzle when you think about Nordic influence.

Old Nordic architecture was known for its adaptation to harsh climates and the use of locally sourced materials, primarily wood. Nowhere is this more iconic than the stave churches of Norway. The roofs of stave churches were steep and pitched, helping to shed snow and rain. Intricate carvings of animals, scenes from Norse mythology, and geometric patterns decorated the exterior, blending functionality with artistry.

But Hallgrimskirkja takes not just the old, but the new… Samuelsson was deeply inspired by Scandinavian modernism, a movement that sought to harmonize functionality and aesthetics.

Clean lines, minimal ornamentation, and a deep respect for nature defined this approach.

And you can see this in other Nordic architectural wonders. Take the Arctic Cathedral in Tromsø, Norway, built solely out of concrete and metal and adopting the International design.

Though smaller in scale, its angular lines and dramatic form resonate with the same natural inspirations. Both structures channel the Nordic spirit, shaped by harsh climates, stunning landscapes, and a profound connection to nature — through modernism.

And Hallgrimskirkja teaches us something important — it is still possible to speak of history, culture and tradition in modern architecture.

It leaves an indelible impression of something that (truly) feels out of this world…

Until Next Time,

World Scholar