The 62 suite, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland, is situated within the UNESCO Global Geopark. Featuring a minimalist approach to aesthetics, focussing on the views of the lagoons and moss covered rocks, it was designed by Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir founding partner of Basalt Architects. It is easy to see from its design that health and well-being were at the centre of the founder Grímur Sæmundsen’s mind when designing this piece.

When designing the retreat the architects took a thorough analysis of the cracks and fissures that formed this volcanic landscape and used them to make sure that their design blended seamlessly with its surroundings. So far to say as they were building, they left some room so that they could be flexible whenever an unexpected discovery was made.

The chef’s table, reception area and Moss restaurant are all made from lave rock, quarried onsite. Similarly, the wine cellar for the restaurant is enclosed by the exposed rock that is lit from below to give a spectacular dramatic look and atmosphere.

The architects discussed how they “wanted the lava, the moss, the water to be omnipresent, resulting in the architecture that is woven in with the natural elements.

They added: “The bare lava forms the walls inside and outside and covers the roofs. The water surrounds, flows through and cascades, and the lush moss stretches all the way to the horizon around.”