Hreppslaug // Hot springs

It is a wonderful feeling relaxing in the hot tubs in Hreppslaug pool, listening to the birds sing, having bright yellow sunflowers all around and a beautiful view over Borgarfjörður.

Unfortunately, at the moment, there are high concrete walls and a wire fence that foreshorten the views and somewhat reduce the experiential value of the place. Not to mention the poor location of the car park which sits directly in front of the pool with associated noise, inconvenience and disturbance.

The service building is in a bad condition in a very unattractive way, although the municipality of  Skorradalur has made funding available for the construction of new changing rooms.

In the hills above Hreppslaug is a recreational forest under construction where a short hiking trail is planned, which will be well suitable for old and young alike. On the hillside are many things to see and explore and the vegetation is rich in diversity. At the very top of the area, the view is absolutely magnificent everywhere you look, whether it is up to the mountains where Skessuhorn towers over the valley or out into the fjord with sky-blue mountains all around.

 

In my proposal, I have moved the parking lot away from the service building and closer to the road. By doing so enables the guests' to begin their experience by hearing the water coming off the pool and the sounds of other pool guests at the same time being surrounded by nature and tall trees. In the new car park, a walking route around the area will also begin.

The route goes around the area and ends at the top looking down on the gorge at Hreppslaug. In the gorge is a hot spring that I believe has great potential to be used better. My vision is to build concrete walls in various places in the landscape where they would create overflowing pools of natural hot spring water, reminiscent of Asian rice fields.

After walking down the gorge you come down to the pool. Under the pool are three compartments that are unused today. The proposal envisages that they will be converted into 'outdoor' changing rooms with access to the swimming pool and hot tubs.

 

As the swimming pool itself is protected through preservation laws, I want to promote its uniqueness by taking down, or lowering the concrete walls for open views, removing wire fences, and allowing the water to flow over the edges of the pool. This would make the area in front of Hreppslaug open with an unobstructed view. Hot tubs by the pool have to resemble the style of the pool itself to enhance the spirit of the place.

The old service building has to be removed and replaced with a new one built into the landscape where the car park is now. In order to keep shelter from the wind, birch would be planted instead of the old house.

 

The new hot springs of Hreppslaug is a place for natural experience, tranquility, psychological restoration and relaxation where magnificent views over landscapes and sustainable water sources meet in an innovative way