Hof Cultural and Conference Centre
Cylindrical basalt-clad concert and conference centre on the Akureyri waterfront.
Hof opened on the Akureyri waterfront in August 2010 as the main cultural building of northern Iceland. The design came from an open competition held in 2004, which attracted 33 entries and was won by the Icelandic practice Arkþing working with the Danish firm Arkitema. The curving, drum-like main volume is clad in panels that echo stuðlaberg, the hexagonal basalt columns formed when lava cools slowly, and the glazed foyer opens towards Eyjafjörður and the mountains on the far shore.
The building contains the 500-seat Hamraborg auditorium, the smaller Hamrar hall, rehearsal and meeting rooms, a restaurant and the regional tourist information office. It is run by Menningarfélag Akureyrar, the municipal culture company, which also operates the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Akureyri Theatre Company and the historic Samkomuhúsið playhouse. The programme ranges from symphonic and chamber concerts to touring pop acts, comedy, conferences and children's shows, and the Akureyri Music School also uses the building.
Highlights
- Basalt-column cladding inspired by Icelandic stuðlaberg formations
- Hamraborg hall seating about 500 for concerts and conferences
- Base of the North Iceland Symphony Orchestra and Akureyri Theatre Company
- Glazed foyer with views across Eyjafjörður
