Fred Wilson Hendry-Briars

Folklore is an important part of Icelandic culture, history and identity, shaped by its unique landscape and rich traditions of storytelling. Tales of elves, trolls, and sea monsters are deeply embedded in the consciousness of the Icelandic people, offering a connection to the natural world and explanations of the unknown.

Globally, folklore plays a crucial role in shaping cultural identities, connecting communities to their environment, and offering insights into society’s values and beliefs. However, in a rapidly urbanising world, this intangible cultural heritage risks fading into the background and ultimately dying out as stories and myths are no longer passed down through time orally. Thus, it is crucial to explore and embrace alternative methods of revitalisation that can ensure folklore remains integral to Iceland’s national identity, just as it has been for generations.

Drawing upon the rich narratives of folktales as a catalyst for design, this thesis investigates the concept of future preservation and celebration of Icelandic folklore through architecture. Located in the Elliðaárdalur Valley, an underutilised forest area on the outskirts of Reykjavik, the thesis envisions a constellation of storytelling spaces that serve both as a physical artefact and an immersive environment.

Proposed architecture becomes a modern-day “re-teller” of stories, offering visitors a space to engage with and participate in the preservation of local cultural traditions. By drawing on traditional folktales and reinterpreting Icelandic architectural forms and materials, the design creates a lasting connection between the past and present, ensuring the ongoing transmission of folklore into the future.