Nyp Atelier

Nyp Atelier at Skarðsströnd is an addition to a compound of buildings repurposed as an exhibition space, cultural centre, and guesthouse. Designed by Studio Bua, the atelier follows the studio's previous work on the extension housing exhibition spaces and guest rooms. Our design brief entailed creating a space that would serve as an artist's workspace, a holiday home for the owners, and an independent unit available for guest rental. Adjacent to the farmhouse, we identified an existing concrete foundation that had once supported a sheep shed, now lost to extreme weather. Studio Bua had previously recommended installing a prefab greenhouse and shed on this foundation and in other concrete "rooms," the owners had established a kitchen garden. Opting for sustainability and maximizing existing resources, we repurposed the concrete foundation for this new addition, drawing inspiration from local vernacular architecture and the original farmhouse, where we had previously extended guest rooms and an exhibition space. Given the time constraint to have the rental unit ready for the upcoming tourist season, we chose a CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) structure with visible CLT for all interiors except bathrooms. While the existing concrete foundation was reused, a new in-situ concrete slab was poured, and the interior floor finish adopted polished concrete to create a robust surface suitable for an artist's workplace. For the exterior cladding, we opted for black corrugated steel from Greencoat. Despite the limited square footage, we successfully accommodated a complex program. The finished result seamlessly integrates into the local context, respecting the existing farmhouse. The interior and exterior solutions are both innovative and flexible, creating a sense of spaciousness within a compact footprint.