In Profile:
Minarc

Where does your design inspiration come from?:
Nature is always our starting point, particularly Icelandic light, landscape, and weather. Nature is not only an inspiration but an active participant in the design. We are also inspired by daily life, movement through space, culture, music, and our children, who constantly remind us that design should remain human, intuitive, and alive.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?:
Design is moving toward greater responsibility. Sustainability, resilience, and longevity are now fundamental. There is also a growing focus on human wellbeing and environments that feel grounded, adaptable, and genuinely connected to place.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future. :
Human wellbeing as the foundation of all spaces
Light experienced as movement, atmosphere, and time
Honest materials that age with dignity
Architecture designed for longevity and change
Sustainability and resilience in response to climate

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?:
Projects shaped by extreme conditions are always the most challenging, whether responding to wildfire-prone landscapes in California or exposed sites in Iceland. These projects demand technical rigor, empathy, and respect for both people and place.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?:
Light is always our primary design tool. Beyond that, we rely on robust structural systems, durable materials, and collaborators who share our commitment to craftsmanship, longevity, and sustainability.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?:
Our aim is to continue developing resilient and sustainable architecture, expand our residential and hospitality work, and further integrate architecture, construction, and product design into a cohesive and responsible practice.

Your most treasured possession?:
Our sketchbooks

Your favourite holiday destination?:
Iceland
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?:
Hotel: ION Hotels, Iceland, where the landscape sets the mood and architecture dances with light.
Restaurant: Dear Jane, Marina del Rey, intimate, soulful, and always about the experience as much as the food.
Bar: Northern Lights Bar at ION Adventure Hotel, where the sky, the music, and the moment come together.

Your favourite book, film & song? :
Book: Books that stay with you — about place, memory, and the quiet poetry of everyday life.
Film: Films that unfold slowly, where atmosphere, emotion, and visual language lead the story.
Song: We are all over the music. It depends on the moment — the setting, the people, the rhythm in the room.

Your favourite food and drink? :
Food: We love food, but it always tastes better with friends. For us, food is connection, atmosphere, and shared joy.
Drink: A good glass of wine, best enjoyed slowly, surrounded by people we love.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? :
Sharing a long dinner with friends and family, playing music, and dancing

If you weren’t in this sector, what would your alternative profession be? :
Rock stars

Anything else interesting? :
Design is not just our profession, it is our life. It is about how we observe the world, ask questions, and connect with people and place.