2013 BOY Winner: Resort Hotel

Somebody cue the James Bond theme. Cinematically speaking, we could be talking about the set for a high-stakes drama to determine the very future of the Empire. In actuality, however, this project is a hotel addition that treads lightly on its pristine setting—literally. The 10,000-square-foot volume sits on concrete pillars that tiptoe onto a moss-covered lava flow on a hill overlooking a volcanic lake. Principals Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir and Tryggvi Thorsteinsson used prefab panels for construction, then leveraged environmental features for extra sustainability. Large windows capture the limited daylight, while hot springs provide geothermal heating. There’s lava stone for the reception desk, recycled rubber in the guest-room sinks, and driftwood for tables and chairs throughout. Blankets and bathrobes are fair-trade. In the 44 rooms, photomurals spotlight the island nation’s distinctive breed of horse. And local beer is poured at Northern Lights, a glass-box bar-lounge where views of the aurora borealis can be enjoyed from streamlined sofas.