Design, Construction and Time Line
The Exhibition Building (Pakkhúsið)
Built in the late 19th century, this former warehouse served as storage space for the adjacent trading store known as “Búðarklettur”. One of the oldest buildings in Borgarnes, its original construction was instigated by the businessman Thor Jensen. It has recently been refurbished under the supervision of the architect Magnus Skulason with funds made available through the Heritage Society. The partially sunken basement floor has rough-hewn stonewalls. Recently deepened, this atmospheric space lends itself to the staging of the Egils Saga exhibition.
The Restaurant (Búðarklettur)
Originally this building housed the trading store of Akra-Jon and later the Norwegan buisnessman Johan Lange and was managed by Thor Jensen, Langes assistant. A few years ago the building was completely refurbished and it now houses the restaurant “Búðarklettur”. This restaurant and the rest rooms services visitors to the Settlement Centre.
This building and the Exhibition Building are two of the finest examples of heritage architecture extant in Borgarnes today.
The Reception Hall (Skálinn)
Between the two existing buildings a third structure has been constructed. This connecting annex functions as a reception hall and houses ticket sales and provides access to the other buildings. It also serves as a souvenir and merchandising outlet. With approximately 140 square meters of floor space, it backs onto the rocky outcrops behind the buildings.
The design by architect Sigridur Sigthorsdottir has paid particular attention to complementing the architecture of the existing buildings.