Information
Landmark: Harpa Glass RoofCity: Reykjavik
Country: Iceland
Continent: Europe
Harpa Glass Roof, Reykjavik, Iceland, Europe
Overview
Harpa Concert Hall’s glass roof catches the light like a prism, making it one of the building’s most striking features and a landmark that defines Reykjavik’s skyline.Harpa, created by Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Elíasson with Henning Larsen Architects, is famous for its striking glass-panel facade, all sharp angles and shimmering reflections, capped by a distinctive roof design.The glass roof echoes the facade’s modular style, its steel-and-glass honeycomb catching light like a net of shimmering cells.Its design draws on Iceland’s wild scenery, echoing the hexagonal basalt columns you see in volcanic cliffs like those at Reynisfjara Beach and the Giant’s Causeway.Sunlight streams through the clear, gleaming glass panels, spilling into the room and scattering intricate patterns of light and shadow across the floor.The roof symbolizes the northern lights, their shifting greens and purples woven through Harpa’s design again and again.Light dances across the glass, shifting in colors like the aurora’s quiet shimmer.Made from custom glass and steel modules, the roof catches the light like a cluster of clear crystals.Most of the shapes are hexagons or rhomboids, giving it a modern look, like tiles laid in a crisp, precise pattern.At night, thousands of LED lights wash over the roof and sweep across the building’s facade, weaving intricate patterns that glide and change like ripples on water.The lighting design works with Reykjavik’s shifting natural light, creating a dynamic scene that shifts from the soft glow of morning to the long shadows of winter.The glass roof lets in warm, natural sunlight while holding onto heat, keeping the building comfortable and cutting energy use-good for the planet and your power bill.Step inside Harpa and look up - the glass roof catches the light like ripples on water, drawing your eyes as you wander through its airy halls.From the atrium, you can look up to see the striking architecture overhead, sunlight spilling through the glass and scattering into shifting, kaleidoscope-like patterns.Seen from the right spot, the roof perfectly frames the Atlantic’s deep blue shimmer and the rugged slopes of Mount Esja.You can spot the roof from all over Reykjavik, but it stands out most when you’re down by the Old Harbour, where fishing boats rock gently in the water.Its glossy surface catches the light and seems to melt into the sky, giving the piece even more artistic charm and architectural presence.Ólafur Elíasson drew much of his design from Iceland’s rugged geology, weaving in hexagonal patterns that echo the dark basalt columns rising along its volcanic coast.Harpa, with its striking glass roof, has earned multiple honors, including the 2013 Mies van der Rohe Award for Contemporary Architecture.Photography Hotspot: Photographers love the roof for its sharp angles and the way afternoon sunlight slides across its patterned surface.If you’re visiting Harpa, you’ll find it at Austurbakki 2 in Reykjavik, just a short stroll from the Old Harbour where fishing boats rock gently in the water.Accessibility: You can walk in for free and wander up to the atrium, where the roof opens above you like a skylight.Guided tours are offered for anyone curious about Harpa’s history and its striking architectural details, like the glittering glass panels that catch the light off the harbor.The best time to go is during the day, when sunlight slips through the roof in warm, golden streaks.In the evening, you can watch LED patterns flicker across the roof, drawing it into Harpa’s mesmerizing nighttime show.Just steps from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll find sweeping views of Harpa’s glass façade catching the light.The Sun Voyager sculpture sits just a short stroll down the waterfront, where the air smells faintly of salt.Hallgrímskirkja Church is just a 15‑minute stroll away, close enough to hear its bells on a quiet morning.In the end, Harpa’s glass roof stands as a marvel of architecture, merging bold design with practical genius-its shimmering panels catch the light like ripples on water.Whether you’re watching sunlight scatter through it from inside or taking in its sharp, crystalline lines from the street, the roof captures Reykjavik’s modern style while honoring Iceland’s wild beauty.
