Bua transformed a hay barn in western Iceland into a calming artist studio that coexists with nature at its most wild. Working with local craftspeople and materials, the original concrete walls were restored, adding to their visible history of repair. A new second-story timber volume was clad in corrugated Aluzinc. Triple glazing, ground source heat pumps and reclaimed structures consider costs and the environment. Delicate openings frame the meadows, mountains and fjord beyond. In the client’s words, “a feeling of freedom” now prevails.

A renovated barn or farm building with a modern metal addition sits in a field of tall grasses in West Iceland. The building features a concrete base and a light-colored metal upper level with a pitched roof. A large glass door is visible. The sky is cloudy and a body of water and distant hills are in the background.
An interior shot of a bright, minimalist room with a panoramic view of a landscape. The room features light-colored wooden plank walls and ceiling, creating a warm and natural atmosphere. Three large windows dominate the far wall, offering a view of a grassy field leading to a body of water, possibly a lake or ocean, with a distant shoreline and a cloudy sky. The room has light-colored wooden flooring. On the left side of the room, a wooden rocking chair faces the windows, positioned next to a built-in bookshelf filled with books and objects. Another wooden chair with a curved back is on the right side of the room, near a wooden railing. The railing suggests a slightly elevated platform or a change in floor level. The overall scene conveys a sense of tranquility and connection with nature, with a focus on simple, natural materials and a serene view.
A close-up, slightly angled photograph of a staircase detail. The image focuses on the junction between a light-coloured wood panel and concrete steps. The wood panel has a visible grain pattern and a clean, straight edge. The concrete steps are smooth and light grey, with small, dark circular indentations visible on the risers. The perspective is from above, looking down the staircase. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the textures and materials. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and modern, with a focus on simple, natural materials.A slightly angled, eye-level photograph of a staircase detail. The image focuses on the junction between light-coloured wood panelling on the walls and the steps, and a black metal handrail. The wood panelling has a distinct grain pattern. The steps are also made of light-coloured wood. The black metal handrail is angled, running diagonally up the staircase. The floor at the bottom of the stairs is concrete. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the textures and materials. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and modern, with a focus on simple, natural materials and clean lines.
A slightly angled shot of a building with a mix of old and new architecture, set against a backdrop of a coastal landscape. The building features a modern section on the left with light-colored metal siding and a sloped roof. Adjoining this section is an older, weathered stone structure with visible signs of age and deterioration, including missing sections of wall and exposed brickwork. The stone structure appears to be a ruin or a partially preserved building. In the foreground, a small courtyard area is defined by low stone walls, with patches of green grass and moss growing between the stones. A black metal bucket sits in the courtyard, and some flowers are visible near the base of the stone wall. In the background, a rocky hill or mountain range rises, leading down to a coastal area with a body of water extending to the horizon. The sky is overcast and gray. The image conveys a sense of history and the integration of modern architecture with the remnants of older structures in a natural, outdoor setting.
An interior shot of a minimalist dining area with a focus on natural materials. The room features light-colored plywood walls and ceiling, creating a warm and simple aesthetic. A round wooden table is centered in the space, with four chairs surrounding it. A white bowl containing oranges and a green apple sits on the table. In the background, a narrow staircase with a black metal railing is visible, leading to an upper level. A small, flush door is integrated into the wall on the right side of the image. A window on the left reveals an outdoor view of a green landscape and a cloudy sky. A pair of binoculars is placed on the windowsill. The floor appears to be concrete or a similar material. A small rug with a patterned design is partially visible in the bottom right corner. The lighting is soft and diffused, highlighting the natural textures of the wood. The overall scene conveys a sense of Scandinavian-inspired minimalism and a connection with nature.
An interior shot of a room with a minimalist design and a large window overlooking a landscape. The room features light-colored plywood walls and ceiling, creating a warm and simple aesthetic. A large rectangular window dominates the far wall, offering a panoramic view of a green field leading to a body of water and a distant mountain range under a cloudy sky. A spherical metal sculpture hangs in the center of the window. On the left side of the room, a round wooden table with a dark chair is partially visible, along with a patterned rug on the floor. A black metal teapot sits on the table. On the right side, a set of concrete steps leads upwards, with a black metal handrail. A flush door is integrated into the wall on the right. A small, white rectangular object is affixed to the upper right wall. The lighting is soft and diffused, highlighting the natural textures of the wood and the concrete. The overall scene conveys a sense of Scandinavian-inspired minimalism and a connection with natureA straight-on shot of a rectangular window framed by a light-colored wooden wall. The window reveals an outdoor scene of a dilapidated stone structure with a rectangular opening that mirrors the shape of the window itself. The stone structure appears to be a ruin, with weathered stones and patches of green grass and moss growing within and around it. Through the opening in the stone structure, a glimpse of a body of water and a cloudy sky is visible. The wooden wall surrounding the window is smooth and light-colored, with a subtle texture. The floor beneath the window is a darker shade, with a slight shadow cast across it. The lighting is soft and diffused, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere. The image conveys a sense of architectural framing and the juxtaposition of interior and exterior spaces.
A straight-on shot of a two-story building set against a backdrop of a large, rocky cliff. The building features a striking contrast between its lower and upper sections. The lower section appears to be a weathered, stone structure with visible signs of age and deterioration, featuring multiple small, rectangular windows and doorways. The upper section is a modern addition with light gray or white corrugated metal siding, featuring larger windows and a metal roof. The building is situated in a grassy field with tall, wild grasses in the foreground. In the background, a large, rocky cliff with green vegetation dominates the scene, creating a dramatic backdrop. The sky is overcast and gray. The image conveys a sense of architectural juxtaposition, blending old and new styles in a natural, rugged setting.
A slightly elevated, eye-level photograph of a rural landscape with a building in the distance. The foreground features a grassy hillside with large, dark rocks covered in moss and lichen. Yellow wildflowers are scattered throughout the grass. In the middle ground, a flat expanse of grassy land stretches to a body of water with a light gray building situated in the center. The body of water extends to the horizon, where a light grey sky is visible. A power line runs diagonally across the middle ground. The overall aesthetic is natural and expansive, showing the vastness of the landscape and the small scale of the building.
A wide, scenic shot of a building situated in a vast, grassy field. The building is a long, single-story structure with a metal roof and light-colored siding. It features several windows along its length. The building appears to be partially dilapidated, with some sections showing signs of age or damage, particularly at the base. The field is covered in tall, swaying grasses and wildflowers, creating a natural foreground. In the background, a large, rocky hill or mountain range rises, with a mix of green vegetation and exposed rock. The sky is overcast and gray, contributing to a sense of remoteness and tranquility. The image conveys a feeling of isolation and the integration of architecture into a natural, rugged landscape.
A slightly angled, eye-level photograph of a room with light-coloured wood walls and a concrete floor. The room features a combination of vertically panelled wood on the upper walls and smooth, light-coloured wood on the lower walls. A doorway is visible on the left side of the room, with a large white panel leaning against the wall. A rectangular window is centred on the far wall, offering a view of a rocky landscape with green grass and a pile of stones. A small, white, round light fixture is visible on the upper right wall. A long, thin light fixture is recessed into the ceiling on the right side. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and natural, with a focus on simple materials and the view outside.A straight-on, low-angle photograph of a tall, narrow room with a skylight. The room features light-coloured, vertically panelled wood walls and a light-coloured wood floor. A rectangular skylight is centred at the top of the image, allowing natural light to enter. A small, white, round light fixture is visible on the right wall. A doorway is visible on the left side of the room, and a window with a view of a rocky landscape is visible at the bottom of the image. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and bright, with a focus on natural materials and light.
A slightly elevated, eye-level photograph of a building situated on a grassy hill. The building has a combination of rough stone walls and a light gray metal roof and upper walls. A single window is visible on the metal section. A dark-colored door is located in the stone section of the building. The building is situated on a grassy hill with tall grass and wildflowers. A small garden with arched supports is visible on the hillside. The sky is overcast and light gray. The overall aesthetic is rustic and minimalist, showing the contrast between the building's materials and the natural landscape.
A slightly angled, eye-level photograph of an interior space with a view through a window. The space features light-colored, vertically paneled wood walls and a sloped ceiling. A rectangular window is centered on the far wall, offering a view of a green landscape with a body of water and distant hills. A light-colored wooden railing with vertical slats is visible in the foreground. The lighting is soft and natural, highlighting the textures of the wood and the view outside. The overall aesthetic is minimalist and natural, with a focus on simple materials and the surrounding landscape.
A straight-on, eye-level photograph of a building in a rural landscape. The building has a rectangular, barn-like shape with a light gray corrugated metal roof and upper walls. The lower walls are made of rough, textured stone. The building has a few small windows, including one with a distinctive 'T' shaped division. The building is situated in a field of tall, green grass with purple and white wildflowers in the foreground. A body of water and distant hills are visible in the background under a cloudy sky. The overall aesthetic is rustic and minimalist, showing the contrast between the building's modern materials and the natural landscape.A close-up, slightly angled photograph of a building exterior detail. The image focuses on the junction between a rough, textured stone wall and a smooth metal flashing. The stone wall is grey and shows signs of weathering and erosion, with patches of lighter material and visible stones embedded in the mortar. A light-coloured window frame is partially visible at the bottom of the image. A smooth, light-coloured metal flashing runs along the top edge of the stone wall. The lighting is natural and highlights the textures and materials. The overall aesthetic is rustic and textural, showing the contrast between the natural stone and the manufactured metal
A close-up, straight-on photograph of a building detail, showing the junction between a wooden door frame and a concrete wall. The wooden door frame consists of multiple narrow, light-coloured wooden slats with a light grey trim. The concrete wall has a rough, textured surface with exposed aggregate, featuring various sizes and colours of pebbles and stones. A large, flat, grey stone is prominently visible in the centre of the concrete. The background shows a blurred outdoor scene with green grass and a rocky outcropping. The lighting is natural and highlights the textures of the wood and concrete.A slightly angled, eye-level photograph of a bedroom with light-coloured, vertically panelled wood walls and a sloped ceiling. A large rectangular window is centred on the far wall, offering a view of a grassy landscape, a body of water, and distant mountains. A light-coloured curtain is drawn to the left side of the window. A wooden chair with a dark finish is placed near the left wall. A bed with a light-coloured quilted cover is visible in the foreground, partially cropped. A small, white, angular light fixture is mounted on the upper right wall. The overall aesthetic is cozy and natural, with a focus on the view and simple materials
Woman walking in a modern and minimal scandinavian interior by architects Studio Bua. Glimpses of a green landscape are visible through picutre windows.
A female artist at work at an easel in a double height studio. The space is daylit with warm wooden walls and a polished concrete floor.