Skúli Mogensen builds a temple for many interpretations

Skúli Mogensen has built a large concrete temple at his Hvammsvík estate, where he runs a bathing lagoon and tourism business. The building was ready for his wedding to Gríma Björg Thorarensen, mbl.is reports.

Mogensen said the idea began as a joke. As his family grew, the couple started discussing marriage, and he told Gríma they would wed when he could afford to build her a church. She laughed, he said. Hvammsvík is an old church estate.

Although Mogensen has long been interested in art and architecture, he did not want to build a traditional church. He researched Hvammsvík’s history, including accounts of pagan temples and the changes that came with Christianity in Iceland.

His inspirations included the Pantheon in Rome, whose name means “temple of all gods”, and the Church of Light, designed by architect Tadao Ando. He was also drawn to buildings that have served different faiths over time, including Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

The temple, known as Hof, has no doors or windows and is open to the weather. An opening in the roof resembles a Maltese cross, while the floor recalls a Celtic cross. A cover can be removed from the centre to reveal a fire pit. Mogensen said he wanted a place that people could interpret in their own way, provided they respected one another and the surroundings.

Hof was completed in 2025, in time for the wedding on 16 August. Mogensen asked Iceland’s bishop, Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir, to marry the couple and consecrate the building. She agreed, saying she would interpret it as a Christian church for the occasion.