Welcome to Harpa Harpa is one of the most remarkable landmarks in the capital and serves an important role in Icelandic conferences, music and culture. Harpa is an enchanting destination for travellers and its award-winning architecture attracts a multitude of visitors each day.
A Vibrant and Colourful Landmark Harpa was designed by Henning Larsen Architects in Copenhagen in collaboration with the installation artist Ólafur Elíasson and Batteríið Architects Ltd.
Six million tons of sea were pumped from Harpa’s foundation during its construction. It is unclear where all that sea ended up!
The design was inspired by the nature of Iceland. The construction materials of the building are, in addition to steel and glass, the striking black concrete used in the open spaces which evokes the image of solidified lava but on entering the halls the visitor will be surrounded by fiery red wood panels that elicit the impression of blistering lava erupting from the bowels of a volcano. The building’s structure and placement is a reference to Hvítserkur, a peculiar surfcarved basalt stack which stands along the eastern shore of the Vatnsnes peninsula, in the northwest part of Iceland.
Harpa Residents — Weekly Concerts Harpa opened in 2011 and has since then been the home of The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, The Icelandic Opera and The Reykjavík Big Band. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra’s season is filled with international and local stars performing with the orchestra in its weekly concerts. Seasonal highlights include concerts for the Opening of the season, as well as the popular Christmas and New Year’s concerts.