Icelandic Nordscape Lab

The Icelandic Nordscape Lab engages with the local environment by bringing together academics, researchers, practitioners and the community to reflect, act and interact with the living environment to generate new ways of coexistence

When thinking about coexisting with our planet, approximations that focus on sensitivity, empathy, reciprocity, and biodiversity should be considered as means to rethink the existing models based solely on the human being in a central place.

It is essential to perceive and understand our environment from a holistic sense. To be emphatic to its own dynamics and being sensitive to the tangible and intangible factors that are part of its essence. To learn from its biological and physical processes as the best medium to dialogue with it, without trying to modify or control its biological dynamics or spontaneity.

On the contrary, try to let nature perform its own role, as a living and interconnected organism in constant evolution in which the human being is only a part. Understand its natural cycles and its self-regenerating essence. To preserve and enrich livable habitats, we must rethink our main priorities towards an ecological and sensitive forward-mindset.

NORDSCAPES: Our Laboratory explores diverse geographies related to the northern regions of Europe, specifically countries that share geographic and climatic characteristics of cold landscapes. These include the Nordic countries of Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland in particular.

ICELANDIC NORDSCAPE LAB

The Icelandic Nordscape Lab gathers a cross-disciplinary team integrating environmental design expertise, local knowledge and landscape awareness to address sensitive strategies that promote sustainability and resilience in this fragile environment

Nordic landscapes and particularly the Icelandic landscape, are facing a series of challenges driven by increasing warming, resource exploitation, mass tourism activities, globalization as well as societal shifts. The Icelandic Nordscape Lab proposes a place-sensitive approach to address sustainable challenges, focusing on life cycle dynamics, natural timeframes, ecosystem balance and well-being of the people living in this geography.

Focusing on living laboratory approach, the lab emphasizes in situ experiences and place-based knowledge to address the complexity of this bio-culturally territory.

PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH & ECOLOGICAL PEDAGOGIES

Focused on exploring new ways of redefining the boundaries between natural habitats and humans, our laboratory integrates practice-based research and ecological pedagogies by developing sensitive reflections and field actions that open scenarios for new encounters

EPICENTER: ANDAKILL SANCTUARY

64°33'N 21°46'W

The geographic and conceptual epicenter of Icelandic Nordscape Lab is located in Andakill, an ecological sanctuary and protected area located in Borgarfjörður fjord

Andakill is located in the western part of the island, in the proximity of a delta resulting from glacial erosion, which is integrated into the Borgarfjörður fjord. The area is characterized by its diverse landscape, integrating both agricultural heritage and biodiversity, with particular importance for birds. As a designated Ramsar site, Andakill plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands and ecosystems.

This unique blend of wetlands, coastal features and agricultural land creates a complex and dynamic environment that makes Andakill a habitat for biodiversity and a key setting for ecological research, education and conservation initiatives.

Located in the sanctuary of Andakill is the village of Hvanneyri. This historic village rises on the delta of the Hvítá river; its fertile nature along the delta gives its origins to the agricultural activity, with several farm fields and facilities related to this activity.

The town features historic buildings such as the barns, the school, and the Agricultural Museum, as well as educational buildings, as it is home to the campus of the Icelandic Agricultural University. The site is therefore an area of educational significance, providing a key location for knowledge exchange and dissemination.

AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF ICELAND

The core team of the laboratory is primarily formed by members of the Landscape Architecture Program of the Faculty of Planning and Design at the Agricultural University of Iceland | Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands

The Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHÍ) plays a key role in the development of themes related to natural resource management, planning, environment, climate and agriculture, among others. With this concern, the Lab team proposes to establish a holistic view through dialogues between fields and disciplines.

Focused on a cross-disciplinary approach, our team is open to establish collaborations from diverse fields of research and co-creation, including environmental, scientific, social, and artistic disciplines, in order to reflect and generate strategies dealing with Nordic and Icelandic landscapes.

TEAM MEMBERS

Ivan Juarez is a landscape architect, environmental artist, and educator working at the intersection of practice, research, and teaching across diverse media, geographies, and scales. He holds a Doctor of Arts and has been a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Jyväskylä. Ivan earned his Master's degree in Landscape Architecture with distinction from the Budapest Faculty of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, where he was awarded the ECLAS Outstanding MLA Student Award. Additionally, he holds a Degree in Architecture from UASLP, Mexico, and Postgraduate Specialization in Landscape Architecture from the Barcelona School of Architecture ETSAB, UPC. His work investigates human-nature interrelations via design-artistic processes, spanning site-specific interventions, public art, participatory projects, and sensory devices. Currently, he is a researcher and lecturer specializing in landscape architecture at The Agricultural University of Iceland.

Helena Guttormsdóttir education goes from Art studies at Iceland University of the Arts, with a thesis on “Sjónrænir þættir í Íslensku Landslagi” (Visual elements in Icelandic Landscape) to Pedagogy at University of Iceland and Biology at University of Iceland. She is a lecturer in Environmental Planning and Landscape Architecture at the Agricultural University of Iceland. She is currently the Program Director of Landscape Architecture. Additionally, Helena has been the exhibition manager for “Afstaða - Af stað” an exhibition of environmental artworks, held by Menningarráð Vesturlands, among others.

Daniele Stefàno graduated in Landscape Architecture from Sapienza University of Rome. He received his PhD in Landscape and Environment from Sapienza University of Rome with a thesis on Representation in Landscape Design, while collaborating on teaching with professors Fabio Di Carlo and Franco Zagari. He was secretary of IASLA (Italian Scientific Society of Landscape Architecture) from 2018 to 2022. He is currently a Lecturer at The Agricultural University of Iceland.

COLLABORATORS & PARTNERS