A new corrugated metal skin is one of several changes that Studio Bua made in its renovation of Guesthouse Nýp in Iceland.
Guesthouse Nýp is located on Iceland's west coast, within the Breiðafjörður Nature Reserve. It is predominantly a bed and breakfast, but also serves as a cultural hub, hosting exhibitions, workshops and other events.

Studio Bua has not only given the building a facelift, but also added extended it to create space for extra facilities. The idea was to make it easier for the owners to put on events without disturbing overnight guests.
The building was originally built in 1936 to serve as the residence of a sheep farm. It was largely rebuilt in 2001 and has been used as a cultural venue since 2006.

The structure was made up of two blocks ? the two-storey, gabled farmhouse and a single-storey, flat-roofed extension that was once used as a barn. Studio Bua has extended this barn, giving it a pitched roof more in keeping with the local vernacular. Both buildings are also re-clad with corrugated metal panels, made from an aluminium and zinc alloy. These panels cover the walls and the roofs, helping to unify the different elements of the structure.

"[We] took a vernacular approach with a form based on local turf homes and a gradual renovation that focused on restoring and reinterpreting historical features while making full use of local labour, techniques and materials such as stone-turf retaining walls and tiles handmade from local clay," ex...