Icelandic Turf Houses
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With temperatures in the negative double digits, blistering glacial winds, and a dramatic rolling landscape, Iceland is a largely unspoilt geothermal wonder. The locals have spent centuries adapting to the challenging climate and live in some of the coolest eco-friendly turf houses we’ve ever seen!
We take a look at the history of these cosy, hillside dwellings and discuss some of the benefits of living in a home surrounded by earth, grass, and roots.
The history of the turf house
Icelandic turf houses developed from the ‘long house’ — a tradition brought to Iceland in the 9th century by Nordic settlers and Vikings. Long houses were multi-purpose buildings that were meant for both work and play. The locals would work together as a community to chop wood from the island’s birch forests and develop specialised tools and crafting skills for cultivating the turf.
By the 18th century, turf houses were plentiful and were constructed with elaborate wooden frames and gable structures. The styles varied dramatically between regions, but they all had one thing in common: an adorable hobbit-esque exterior. The Old World design provided protection and warmth from the frigid environment.
(Image by Christian Bickel [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons)
How were they built?
You may wonder how homes with a grass roof were made weather-proof in an age without plastic and rubber. The answer? Birch tree bark.
Typically built during the summer, turf houses were constructed using thawed soil, grass, herbs, and wildflowers. The locals would excavate grassy chunks from the surrounding fields and layer sheets of birch bark in the ceiling to stop the rain from getting inside. The frame was constructed using stone and logs, and the tremendous weight of the earth was enough to close up any drafty cracks and provide the ultimate sustainable insulation.
Icelandic turf houses were eco-friendly, energy efficient, and 100% recyclable. The turf was replaced every 20-70 years and inhabitants had an abundant supply of renewable building resources at their fingertips.
(Image by Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons)
Are there any turf houses left in Iceland?
Yes. Many farmers built and maintained their turf homes and passed the skill down for generations. However, these days the traditional art of turf house construction remains in the hands of very few. Most modern families live in homes that were designed with modern features and advanced technology. But, if you visit Iceland on vacation you can still visit some of the most well-known, albeit renovated, turf houses like Keldur, Laufás, Þverá, and Grenjaðarstaður.
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