"We have the perception that the building is floating."
The Blue Lagoon began life as an unexpected reservoir of geothermal seawater that accumulated in the shadows of the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant on the Reykjanes Peninsula. From the time of the lagoon's formation in the early 1980s to the time when the decision was made to design and build proper spa facilities, it was essentially a makeshift operation.
In 1998, Sigridur Sigthors — a founding partner of Iceland's Basalt Architects — was contracted to conceptualize and design new facilities for the Blue Lagoon. Grimur Saemundsen, founder and CEO, gave her total freedom to locate the lagoon and its facilities wherever she chose.
In order to determine the best placement for the lagoon, Sigridur spent many hours wandering through the lava at Svartsengi, analyzing the volcanic terrain. Her research revealed that it was predominantly the result of two different lava flows: a smooth, flat, hard lava dating back 2000 years; and an 800-year-old flow characterized by extreme fragmentation — "Illahraun", or evil lava.
In 1999, the relocated lagoon, with beautifully architected spa facilities and a mesmerizing half-kilometer lava corridor leading to the entrance, was opened. The complex embodied the seamless integration of nature and architecture — the synthesis of geology and geometry.
Eight years later, the magnificent lava formation on the lagoon's western shore was incorporated into Lava Restaurant, continuing the convergence of architecture and nature.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland — consisting of a spa carved into the volcanic earth, 60 elegant guest suites surrounded by the Blue Lagoon's mineral-rich waters, and a restaurant dedicated to the reinvention of Iceland's culinary heritage — completes the southward movement of the main complex.
The suites, ranging in size from 40 sqm to 200 sqm, are surrounded by water in the same way that a moat surrounds a castle. Each suite's floor-to-ceiling window creates an extraordinary perspective on the surrounding lagoon and the volcanic horizon.
The spa at the Retreat, a subterranean realm that enables a journey into and through the volcanic earth, connects the Retreat and the Blue Lagoon. Moving from the strata of moss and accommodation, we proceed into the spa and ever-deeper through enchanting realms.