the use of local minerals and seashells as dashing. Whole residential districts were dashed in this way. After World War II, larger houses with higher roofs began to appear, with a variety of decorative features marking a departure from the functionalist aesthetic. The next wave of architectural style to arrive was modernism, appearing after the country's gain of independence from Denmark. Influential architects created modernist buildings with low roofs and large windows and large, smooth expanses of colour (in contrast to the dashing style which was popular earlier). Modernist architecture commanded a modernist interior to boot, and so here began a strong furniture industry. New building techniques led to the construction of concrete high-rises in Reykjavík. Here new movements began to show up, such as an increase in popularity of open plan interiors. In addition to new styles and influences arriving, a sentiment for the conservation of existing older buildings was founded, with newfound interest in traditional handicrafts. Criticism of modern Icelandic architecture appeared at this time, pointing out energy-wasting designs and drawing from traditional building techniques such as steep pitched roofs to find solutions. In recent years, many larger-scale plans have been put forward for both projects in Reykjavík and Kópavogur. Many of these projects were proposed during the boom period before the financial crisis, including Iceland's first skyscrapers, the Höfðatorg and Smáratorg towers. Many of the taller buildings in the Reykjavík area look out of place when compared with their neighbours, for example traditional wooden houses neighbour the Höfðatorg Tower 1. Other projects include the Harpa, completed in 2011, whose ambitious plans had originally included a world trade centre. Funding for the concert hall became insecure with the economic crisis, although the Icelandic government later promised that the project would be completed, with state funding. Notable buildings Hallgrímskirkja Perlan Smáratorg Tower Supreme Court of Iceland See also Architecture of Denmark Architecture of Norway References External links Icelandic Architecture