Ring of Bjólfur is a ring-shaped viewing platform in the slopes of Mount Bjólfur, 650m over sea level. The platform overlooks Seydisfjordur, a narrow fjord with steep mountains in East Iceland. The simple concrete structure sits on top of the rugged landscape and hovers over the edge offering a spectacular view over the fjord and to the Atlantic Ocean.

360° Experience
The ring has a diameter of 32 meters, with a walkway and bench spanning the entire 100m circumference. The 360° experience leads the visitors to explore the views of the mountains around, the town, the valley and the peak of mountain above. The slightly sloping ring structure is wheelchair accessible.

Silver Colour Palette
The ring is constructed of concrete, with an inner railing of local larch and outer railing of slim stainless-steel posts. The three materials display a range of silver-grey colour tones: with the silver patina of the larch, the glittering reflection of the steel and the tones of the exposed concrete changing with the weather. An important factor in the material selection is robustness and minimal maintenance, due to the harsh weather conditions and remote location. The sharp silver colour palette is in nice contrast with the brown tones of the rocky landscape it sits on.

A Viking Ring
Mount Bjólfur is named after the vikingBjólfur who first settled in Seydisfjordur. Vikings were buried with their most precious belongings, jewelry and weapons. It is believed that Bjólfur was buried high up in the mountain, therefore the ring-shaped structure symbolises a precious silver ring belonging to Bjólfur, the forefather of the people of the fjord.

Cantilevering Structure
The structure is fully symmetric with two spans and two abutment walls embedded In the ground. One span launches out from the edge of the mountain overlooking the town of Seydisfjordur and the other hovers over a small crest with delicate moss and arctic flora underneath the summit of Bjolfur. The continuous circular shape allows for an efficient structure with a slender cross section of the pathway with vertical load bearing comprised primarily of a beam that makes up the seat along the Inner rim of the ring.

Construction
The official tender for the constructionof the ring wasissuedtoday, September 6th 2023, and is open for bids during September.

Construction will begin summer 2024 and is expected to be finished summer 2025. The elevation of the construction site is a challenge, with unpredictable weather conditions and steep road passes, therefore every detail of the construction process is planned in advance.

Team:
Client: Mulathing Municipality
Architects: Arkibygg Arkitektar & Esja Architecture
Landscape Architects: ANNA Landslagsarkitekt & Kjartan Mogensen
Engineers: exanordic