Portfolio Freyr

F R E Y R J Ó N S S O N

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A R C H I T E C T U R E

PORTFOLIO

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FREYR JÓNSSON B . A R C H I am a 24-year-old Icelandic designer from Akureyri, currently based in Copenhagen for an architecture internship. With a curious and driven mindset, I thrive in collaborative environments and am known for my strong work ethic and adaptability. Passionate about the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and social impact, I am eager to deepen my critical understanding of the built environment. Pursuing a master’s degree is the next step in refining my skills, challenging conventional practices, and contributing to a more thoughtful, responsible, and futureoriented approach to architecture.

Birth Date : 03-03-2000 Residence : Copenhagen, Denmark Email :

jonssonfreyr@gmail.com

Contact :

+45 77 17 18 88

EDUCATION

INTERNSHIP

B . A R C H , ( 2021 - 2024 )

W E A R C H I T E C T U R E ( 2024 - Current )

I U A

Last spring, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Architecture following three transformative and invaluable years at the Iceland University of the Arts.

P R E S T U D I E S , ( 2020-2021 )

M Í R

I completed a one-year preparatory program in Visual Arts at the Reykjavík School of Visual Arts, where I developed a strong foundation in artistic techniques and creative expression.

A R C H I T E C T U R E , ( 2019-2020 )

U I C

I began my architectural studies at Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, completing one semester and gaining valuable international insights.

Over the past five months, I have had the privilege of working at WE Architecture in Copenhagen. This experience has been immensely enriching and has provided me with invaluable insights and skills.

PROGRAMS R H I N O

3 D

I L L U S T R A T O R I N D E S I G N P H O T O S H O P E N S C A P E

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES P R E S I D E N T , ( 2023 - 2024 )

R E V I T

H / A R K

I was the president of the student association for Design and Architecture department at IUA.

V I C E - P R E S I D E N T , S L H Í ( 2023 - 2024 ) Along with my leadership at my student association I was the vicepresident at the student association for the whole school.

REFERENCES M A R C J A Y mj@we-a.dk Founding Partner, Architect WE Architecture B I R T A F R Ó Ð A D Ó T T I R Birta@lhi.is Lecturer, former hed of B.Arch studies at IUA.

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CONTENT

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01

02

RECLAMATION

MJÖLL

3rd year

3rd year

Page 04-08

Page 09-13

03

04

STUDENT HOUSING

THE TREEHOUSE

2nd year

1st year

Page 14-16

Page 17-19

S P R I N G

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01.

RECLAMATION L E A R N I N G T O S H A P E

F R O M T H E P A S T T H E F U T U R E

We have forgotten how to design. Once, architecture was born from the land itself, shaped by the climate, by the rhythm of the sun and the rise of the sea. Today, we build in defiance of these forces, disconnected from the intelligence that once guided us.

Scattered across Iceland, abandoned farmlands stand as quiet reminders of this lost knowledge. Hólshús, once a home, now lingers as a concrete foundation, an echo of a time when buildings belonged to their surroundings, rather than standing apart from them.

This project does not impose a new structure onto the site but listens to what remains. The foundation becomes a vessel for rediscovery, of a time when we built in dialogue with nature, adapting rather than overpowering. By reclaiming this ruin, the project seeks not just to restore a place, but to restore an awareness, an architecture that remembers, that responds, that belongs.

1933 - 1979 BUILT IN 1933, THE FARMHOUSE STOOD FOR DECADES BEFORE BEING DEMOLISHED IN 1979.

1979 - 2024 THE WOODEN STRUCTURE WAS SALVAGED, BUT THE CONCRETE FOUNDATION REMAINED, A SILENT TRACE OF THE PAST.

2024 SKETCH OF MY VISION, INSPIRED BY THE OLD FARMHOUSE’S VARIED ROOFLINES.

T E A C H E R S : Anna Kristín Karlsdóttir, annakk@lhi.is Bjarki Gunnar Halldórsson, bjarkigh@lhi.is

S P R I N G

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I N T E G R A T I O N The new dwelling emerges from the old foundations, bridging past and future without erasure. The dining, kitchen, and living spaces settle within the weathered remains, where aged concrete walls become quiet thresholds rather than barriers. Instead of imitating the past, the design extends its language, corridors carved by the foundation lead to private rooms inspired by Icelandic turf houses, standing as independent cabins within the landscape. Between them, rainwater cascades like a natural stream, and sharp rooflines echo the jagged contours of the terrain. Here, architecture is not an imposition but a negotiation, a dialogue between what was, what is, and what could be.

S P R I N G

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F O R M

Remnants

Movement

Volumes

REMNANTS OF AN OLD

THE AXES OF THE OLD

VOLUMES ARE ARRANGED

FARMHOUSE AND ITS ANIMAL

FOUNDATION GUIDE THE

AROUND THE CIRCULATION

SHED

LAYOUT AND MOVEMENT OF

PATHS.

THE NEW HOUSE.

SUNLIGHT

WIND

RESULT

TO EMBRACE MAXIMUM

A GLASS BRICK WALL BLOCKS

THIS STUDY INFORMS THE

SUNLIGHT, THE VOLUME

STRONG WINDS WHILE

CREATION OF A THE MASS

UNFOLDS, SHAPING INVITING

ALLOWING NATURAL LIGHT TO

FORM.

COURTYARDS FILLED WITH

ENTER.

LIGHT.

D E T A I L EXAMINING HOW CONSTRUCTION DETAILS CAN UNIFY THE NEW AND OLD STRUCTURES, ENSURING THEY COMPLEMENT RATHER THAN OVERPOWER ONE ANOTHER.

I N S P I R A T I O N

ICELANDIC TURFHOUSE FLOORPLAN OF A TRDITIONAL ICELANDIC TURF HOUSE.

MASSES MASSES SHAPED THROUGH PRIOR FORM EXPLORATION.

FLOORPLAN THEIR COMBINATION DEFINES THE FLOORPLAN.

Inspired by the history of Icelandic turf houses, the design concept revolves around the harmonious coexistence of humans and animals in work and play.

The living and working spaces merge seamlessly within a single accessible building, with each design element meticulously crafted in connection to the original foundation.

S P R I N G

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LIVING ROOM

DINING

GARDEN

LIVING QUARTERS

HALL

BEDROOM

GARDEN

GLASSBLOWING STUDIO

WORKING QUARTERS

SHOP

S P R I N G

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R E A W A K E N I N G In this place of memory and renewal, the past is not reconstructed but reawakened.

The house does not stand against nature but moves with it, shaped by the same forces that once guided the builders of old. In listening to what was left behind, the project does not just reclaim a home, it reclaims a way of thinking, a way of building, a way of belonging.

A U T U M N

02.

MJÖLL R E V I V I N G T H E E N R I C H I N G T H

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P A S T , F U T U R E .

Borgarnes, a town rich in history, lacks a central space for culture and community, a place where people can gather, create, and connect. Mjöll proposes a solution not only through new construction, but through revival. At the heart of this project is the historic dairy farmers' cooperative, a modernist landmark now left underutilized and in decay. Rather than erasing or replacing, the project embraces what already exists, breathing new life into the structure while preserving its architectural and cultural significance.

The building’s transformation into a cultural hub revives its legacy while shaping it for modern needs. A music school, offices, and a café bring life to its interiors, making it a dynamic part of the town’s identity. A sculpted hill reshapes the landscape, creating a town square and pathways that seamlessly weave the site into the urban fabric

T E A C H E R S : Anna Sigríður Jóhannsdóttir, annasigridur@lhi.is Karítas Möller, karitasm@lhi.is

A U T U M N

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Context

Foundation

THE CULTURAL CENTER SITS WITHIN THE SITE

AN OUTDATED 1980S ADDITION IS REMOVED,

OF AN HISTORIC DAIRY FARMERS' COOPERATIVE,

PRESERVING ITS CONCRETE SLAB AS A

A S I T E F U L L O F P OT E N T I A L YE T C U R R E N T LY

FOUNDATION FOR RENEWAL.

UNDERUTILIZED.

Flow

Connection

RAMPS AND STAIRS INTEGRATE THE ROOFTOP

TERRACED LANDSCAPING AND STAIRS SHAPE AN

INTO THE NATURAL MOVEMENT OF THE AREA,

AMPHITHEATER, FRAMING A CENTRAL SQUARE

TRANSFORMING THE BUILDING INTO AN ACTIVE

WH I L E A WO O D E N ST R U CTU R E S E A M L E S S LY

PASSAGE.

CONNECTS THE ELEMENTS.

Form INSPIRED BY THE SOFT CURVES OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, A NEW STRUCTURE EMERGES, G E N T LY E M B R AC I N G T H E H I L LS I D E .

Invitation THE FINAL DESIGN CREATES A WELCOMING, DYNAMIC SPACE, DRAWING PEOPLE IN AND FOSTERING COMMUNITY CONNECTION.

C'

A U T U M N

A

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C

B

H A R M O N Y Inspired by the craftsmanship of musical instruments, the architectural intervention introduces fluid, organic forms that contrast yet complement the sharp, modernist lines of the original cooperative. Designed as an addition to the work of renowned Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson, the new structure does not seek to mimic his aesthetic, but to enhance it. Its curved forms emerge from the natural terrain, softening the presence of the existing building while celebrating its history. This approach creates a dialogue between old and new—where past achievements are not merely preserved, but elevated through thoughtful and sustainable adaptation.

B'

A'

A U T U M N

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SECTION A-A'

SECTION B-B'

SECTION C-C'

R E V I V A L By reimagining rather than replacing, this project questions the culture of demolition and rebuilding, advocating instead for the intelligent reuse of architectural heritage.

It is a testament to how forgotten structures can once again become centers of life, proving that sustainability is not just about materials, but about memory, identity, and the spaces we choose to cherish.

1. GRASS COMPOUND

6. INSULATION

11. STEEL

2. SUBSTRATE

7. MOISTURE

12. WOOD

3. DRAINAGE BOARD

PROTECTION

13. CLADDING

4. MOISTURE BARRIER

8 . PLYWO O D

14. WINDOW

5. MOISTURE

9. GRAVEL

FRAME

PROTECTION

10. DRAINAGE

15. GLASS

11

12 13

14 15

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

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T H R E S H O L D The entrance space blurs the boundary between inside and outside, a seamless transition where architecture extends beyond walls. An amphitheater staircase flows from the exterior into the heart of the building, carving out spaces for exhibitions, performances, and spontaneous gatherings. Light filters through, movement weaves between levels, and culture unfolds in a space that is both a threshold and a destination. This transparency dissolves exclusivity, inviting the public in, making art, music, and dialogue visible and accessible to all. It is not just an entrance, it is an open stage for community, interaction, and shared experience.

S P R I N G

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03.

STUDENT VILLAGE R E I N V E N T I N G H O U S I N G

T H E

S T U D E N T

Student housing should be more than just a place to sleep—it should be a place to belong. Too often, student residences isolate rather than connect, reinforcing loneliness instead of fostering community. This project reimagines student housing as a dynamic space for shared living, where architecture actively encourages interaction and a sense of home.

At the heart of the design is the shared balcony garden, a space that links adjacent apartments, inviting students to connect, share meals, and extend their living environment beyond their walls. These adaptable gardens function as both private retreats and communal gathering spaces, allowing two separate apartments to merge when desired. By dissolving rigid boundaries between individual and collective living, the project challenges the isolating structures of conventional student housing and offers a sustainable, human-centered alternative

G R O U P P A R T N E R Natalie Saloch T E A C H E R S : Steinþór Kári Kárason, steinthork@lhi.is Ásmundur Hrafn Sturluson, asmundur@lhi.is

S P R I N G

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Context

Volume

Flow

POSITIONED BETWEEN EXISTING

BY ROTATING AND MIRRORING

BREAKING OPEN

STUDENT HOUSING, A MAIN ROAD,

THE FORMS OF THE EXISTING

TRANSFORMS TH

AND A FOREST, THE SITE ACTS

STUDENT HOUSING, THE

A CLOSED-OFF H

AS A TRANSITION SPACE. THE

PROJECT CHALLENGES UNIFORM

INTO AN INVITIN

DESIGN RESPONDS TO THESE

REPETITION, CREATING A

SPACE. PATHWA

SURROUNDINGS, INTEGRATING

DYNAMIC SPATIAL COMPOSITION

THE UNIVERSITY

WITH THE LANDSCAPE WHILE

THAT FEELS MORE INTEGRATED

ENCOURAGING M

FOSTERING A STRONGER

AND RESPONSIVE TO ITS

INTERACTION RA

CONNECTION BETWEEN STUDENTS,

ENVIRONMENT.

ISOLATION.

NATURE, AND THE CITY.

Heigth

Community

N THE VOLUME

THE BUILDINGS STEP DOWN

AT THE HEART OF THE PROJECT, A

HE AREA FROM

TOWARDS THE FOREST, BLENDING

COMMUNAL HOUSE IS EMBEDDED

HOUSING BLOCK

INTO THE LANDSCAPE WHILE

WITHIN A SCULPTED HILL,

NG, PERMEABLE

RISING NEAR THE ROAD TO ACT AS

INSPIRED BY THE SITE'S WWII-

YS OPEN TOWARDS

A NATURAL SOUND BUFFER. THIS

ERA TRENCHES. THIS SPACE

Y AND FOREST,

VARIATION IN HEIGHT ENHANCES

FOSTERS CULTURE , GATHERING ,

MOVEMENT AND

BOTH URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL

AND SHARED EXPERIENCES,

ATHER THAN

HARMONY.

REINFORCING THE SOCIAL FABRIC OF STUDENT LIFE.

4TH FLOOR

S P R I N G

B'

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SHARED BALCONY

APPARTMENT 1 A'

A

APPARTMENT 2

B

STAIRWELL

SECTION A-A'

Flexibility

RESIDENTS HAVE THE FLEX

TO SHAPE THEIR LIVING SP

EACH APARTMENT CAN STA

ALONE, OR TWO UNITS CAN INTO ONE THROUGH THE S

BALCONY GARDEN, FOSTER CONNECTION AND ADAPTA

AXENOMETRIC SECTION B-B'

GARDEN

XIBILITY

PACE

AND

N MERGE HARED

RING BILITY.

S P R I N G

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04.

THE TREEHOUSE G R O W I N G A R C H I T E C T U R E : A F U T U R E R O O T E D I N P L A C E

Iceland’s architecture relies almost entirely on imported materials, making construction vulnerable to shifting global supply chains.

But what if the solution was already beneath our feet? This project challenges the dependence on foreign resources by exploring an alternative: growing our own materials. Instead of importing, we plant. Instead of extracting, we cultivate. This vision reimagines the future of Icelandic architecture as one that is rooted—literally—in the land itself.

Guided by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the project transforms the site at Ægissíða 102 into both a research hub and a living material bank. A forest is planted, designed not only to enrich the landscape but to serve as a future source of Icelandic-grown timber. As the trees mature, they offer a sustainable, homegrown alternative to traditional construction methods, redefining how we think about architecture in an era of scarcity and environmental responsibility.

0 YEARS

PLANTING

GROWING

30+ YEARS

T E A C H E R S : Hrefna Björg Þorsteinsdóttir, hrefna@aarkitektar.is Hólmfríður Ósmann Jónsdóttir, frida@aarkitektar.is

S P R I N G

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C U L T I V A T E D The forest is not just a source of material; it is part of the architecture itself. Once the trees mature, they are harvested to construct a suspended home among the canopy, seamlessly merging architecture with nature. This elevated structure serves as a research station, allowing inhabitants to study Icelandic building materials from within the very forest that produced them. The approach redefines sustainability—not by reducing harm, but by creating a self-sustaining cycle where the land and the built environment grow together. This is not just a house; it is a living experiment in how we might build when resources run out, offering a vision for a future where architecture is truly regenerative.

S P R I N G

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R E G E N E R A T I O N This project is more than an exploration of materials, it is a political statement on the future of architecture. By shifting from extractive practices to regenerative, sitespecific solutions, it challenges conventional sustainability. Instead of relying on distant resources, it asks: Can architecture grow alongside its environment? By embedding responsible consumption into design, the project explores self-sufficiency, circularity, and resilience, core themes of political architecture. As climate and resource crises accelerate, it demonstrates that architecture must not only adapt but actively reshape our relationship with land, materials, and the futures we build.

F R E Y R J Ó N S S O N

ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O

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CONTACT PHONE :

+45 77 17 18 88

ADD :

Gammel Jernbanevej 24, 5.th, 2500 Valby, Copenhagen

Email :

jonssonf reyr@gmail.com