Harpa is one of the top 10 best designed buildings in the world according to Architectural Digest Magazine.

Architecht Steven Hall claims that today’s architectural monuments aren’t meant only to be admired from afar. “It’s not about creating an icon, but shaping public space.“

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Henning Larsen Architects and Batteríið Architects

Opened 2011

Even before its official opening, this gemlike venue breathed new life into the Icelandic capital’s once-sleepy harbor, captivating locals and luring visitors with its kaleidoscopic façade of multicolor glass. The crystalline shell, conceived by artist Olafur Eliasson, wonderfully complements the structure’s aggregate of jagged, geometric volumes. At night, exterior LED strips activate, transforming the waterfront landmark into a shimmering beacon of beauty.

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