Reykjavík Lights Hotel by TARK and HAF for Keahotels

An ancient Icelandic calendar influenced the layout and interiors in this Reykjavík hotel designed by local architects TARK and HAF (+ slideshow).

Reykjavík Lights Hotel by TARK and HAF comprises 12 corridors, one for each month of the year, and rooms are themed around specific days in the traditional calendar.

"A key element is the hotel's unique visual calendar," HAF founder Hafsteinn Juliusson told Dezeen. "Inspired by the ancient Icelandic calendar Rímtafla, it reflects the year-round daylight conditions in Iceland."

In the lobby, a large spherical light hangs above a wooden polygonal bar.

The lobby wall is decorated in graphics based on star constellations that can be seen from Reykjavík.

Graphic designer Sveinn Þorri Davíðsson worked in collaboration with the architects to design the typography for the hotel's signage and stationery, which is based on historic Icelandic runes.

One hundred and five custom-made wallpapers were created for the hotel, which correspond to the colour spectrums of Iceland's daylight conditions.

Room are decorated with an eclectic mix of frames, which contain artworks showing the country's traditions and seasons.

Photography is by Gunnar Sverrisson & Vigfús Birgisson.

Here is some more information from the architects:

Reykjavík Lights is a new concept hotel managed by Keahotels. The hotel design is a collaboration between architecture studio Tark and HAF. Team HAF developed the concept, interior and visual design of the hotel. The concept revolves around Iceland's ever-changing light conditions and how they reflect Icelandic everyday life.

A key element is the hotel's unique visual calendar. Inspired by the ancient Icelandic calendar Rímtafla, it reflects the year-round daylight conditions in Iceland. The visual calendar Rímtafla is divided by months and distributed onto 12 corridors. Each corridor represents a month of the year and each room is linked to a specific day in the ancient Icelandic calendar.

The rooms are decorated with unique color palettes expressing Iceland's unique color spectrums. Artworks inside the rooms demonstrate local and seasonal traditions and circumstances, such as the Northern lights or the Midnight sun. In all, 105 custom made wallpapers were produced for the hotel. Throughout the hotel you will find various decorations and information about Icelandic culture, history and light.

Reykjavík Lights' visual identity was developed in collaboration with graphic designer Sveinn Þorri Davíðsson. The typography is based on ancient Icelandic runes and the color scheme is an interpretation of the Icelandic light.