<P> Characteristically urban buildings began emerging during this time, such as Austurstræti 16 (designed by Guðjón Samúelsson) which were concrete constructions . Guðjón went on to become the leading Icelandic architect of the time . Referencing traditional Icelandic architectural styles, he revived the gable - fronted house design in concrete . This influence can be seen in stylised form in the National Theatre of Iceland building, for example . Guðjón Samúelsson was also the designer of Hallgrímskirkja, one of the tallest structures in Iceland, which was modelled on cliff faces . </P> <P> The functionalist architectural style arrived in Iceland in the 1930s, brought by younger architects who would later have great influence on the urban planning of the country . Unusually, functionalism was not met with as much controversy as it was in other countries at the time . Early functionalist buildings in the country resembled those elsewhere in Europe, but conventional interior layouts being their differentiating feature . Many neighbourhoods would later be built up using the functionalist aesthetic as their guide . The buildings were made distinctively Icelandic with 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 . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> 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 . </P>

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