Herring Hotel

Location: Skagaströnd, Iceland Year: 2021 Type: Concept proposal Program: Boutique Hotel Status: Ongoing Client: Skagaströnd Municipality

Herring Hotel is a boutique hotel concept in the old herring factory in the town of Skagaströnd in Northwest Iceland. Preparations are currently underway for new sea baths in Skagaströnd, which will attract more visitors to town and thus create an increased need for accommodation. Together, the baths and hotel can be a new magnet for vacationers in Northwest Iceland, and create a basis for further development in tourism in the area, such as winter tourism, sailing and angling.

The former state run herring factory on Skagaströnd has been unused for a while, but recently became the property of the municipality, which sparked both interest and reason to transform the building. In the proposal, the herring factory is renovated and its original exterior appearance restored. Inside, a raw and charming atmosphere is created, where the factory's industrial characteristics meet a modern and warm design scheme. Construction and operation of the hotel is planned to be environmentally certified, which will be a part of the hotel's image and vision.

The location of the hotel is in the middle of the harbour, and therefore it is important to ensure the safety of visitors, while maintaining an uninterrupted operation of the harbour activities. In the design, this is implemented by keeping the hotel's public functions on the top floor: a bar, fine restaurant and roof terrace. The restaurant is an attraction in its own right, with a fantastic view over the bay, fresh fish directly from the sea, and an overall emphasis on sustainability and local ingredients. In the ground floor, a discreet entrance leads visitors through the same tunnel the herring used to be transferred through from the boats - creating a somewhat mysterious experience.

An old photograph showing the herring factory’s original appearance.

Rooftop restaurant

Hotel apartment with double height ceiling and mezzanine.

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