Langjökull, Iceland
Awards: Winner of ‘Best Landscape Lighting Scheme’ and ‘Best of the Best’ at the darc Awards, 2016
Langjökull is Icelandic for “long glacier”. Ísgöngin Langjökli is the second largest ice cap on Iceland. EFLA started to explore the possibility of making an ice cave in 2010, researching aspects of security, and how long the tunnels will last. The project was sufficiently developed to allow investment in the project without much uncertainty. In 2013, an agreement was made and construction could begin.
The aim of the lighting in the cave was to maximise the visitor experience and to illuminate the natural colours of the ice. Thickness, shapes and ash from volcano eruptions are highlighted throughout the cave. This was achieved by recessing all the light sources into the ice, making the source of light itself completely hidden away from sight.
Client: Icelandic Tourism Fund
Lighting Designer: Ágúst Gunnlaugsson
Photography: Sigurjon Ragnar Photography
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