Icelandic Turf Houses: Torfbæir

Traditional Icelandic grass-roofed houses are called torfbæir (singular torfbær). Built from stone or turf with a thick, living grass roof, they provided superb insulation against Iceland's fierce cold and wind. Once ubiquitous, they are now rare, preserved as cultural heritage sites. The design reflects centuries of adaptation to a harsh subarctic climate using locally available materials.