Iceland review - 2016, Page 36

34 ICELAND REVIEW
The recent renovation
at Keflavík International
Airport highlights
Icelandic design
and culture.
Iceland is one of the most unique desti-
nations in the world and Keflavík Inter-
national Airport (KEF) wanted to incor-
porate the beauty and culture of Iceland
in everything from architecture and design
to the products available for sale at the air-
port. KEF, which is expected to welcome
6.2 million passengers in 2016, introduced
a new shopping and dining area at the air-
port with a particular emphasis on Icelan-
dic design and culture. “The theme of the
renovation is Iceland,” says Gunnhildur
Erla Vilbergsdóttir, commercial manager.
“We wanted to emphasize everything that
is Icelandic to reach customers who want
to have a unique Icelandic experience,
from the design to the souvenirs avail-
able.”
HAF STUDIO
HAF Studio, a Reykjavík-based design stu-
dio, worked on several projects for the air-
port, including the Pure Food Hall, Loksins
Bar, and the 66ºNorth shop. “We wanted
the design to feel like you’re in Iceland,”
says Hafsteinn Júlíusson, owner of HAF
Studio. “We wanted to bring in the soul
and character of Iceland to what can seem
like a lifeless area.” HAF Studio worked to
create different themes of design. For in-
stance, a mix of Reykjavík’s thriving night-
life and traditional Icelandic timber houses
with weathered wood paneling inspired
Loksins Bar. The 66ºNorth shop is inspired
by Iceland’s rich fishing culture, with band
sawn oak planks that give a true industrial
look, along with Icelandic basalt tabletops
and robust steel structures.
CELEBRATING ICELANDIC
CULTURE
In addition to the new look of the ter-
minal, Keflavík staff wanted to go a step
further and play up Icelandic culture. Lo-
cal holidays are celebrated at the airport.
Iceland’s bolludagur, the annual ‘bun
day’ was shared with passengers as tasty
cream puffs were served in the terminal.
Keflavík’s New Look
Gunnhildur Erla Vilbergsdóttir,
commercial manager.
SPECIAL PROMOTION