From the Ambassador (Architect of the Ambassador’s Residence)
2026/10/30
A book about Mr. Jónsson
In my previous columns for June and July, I wrote about the Ambassador’s residence. Recently, I have learned that the current residence was designed by a prominent Icelandic architect, and I would like to share this discovery with you.
Halldór Haukur Jónsson (1912–1992) studied architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and went on to design dozens of buildings in Iceland. A book documenting his work includes a description of a building he designed, Vesturbrún 22, which is our current residence. The Embassy reached out to the City of Reykjavík and were able to confirm this by locating the original architectural blueprints in 1955.
Mr. Jónsson was also well-known for serving as the chairman of several major Icelandic companies—so much so that he was sometimes referred to as the "Chairman of Iceland."
Our former residence was known as the “Ashkenazy House.” The current residence is also a building of great historical significance and value, and I am struck by how fortunate the Embassy is to have such a wonderful residence. Perhaps it is because we Japanese have a deep attachment to our homes and place great value on them that we have been blessed with such an exceptional building.
I invited Mr. Garðar Halldórsson, the son of the architect, to visit the residence. He remarked that the building is "in good hands”, a sentiment that resonated deeply with me.
Please take a look at the photographs from the decoration conferment ceremony held at the residence on October 29th. The shape of the room goes well with the Japanese gold-leaf folding screen (byōbu) perfectly.
Moving forward, we intend to continue taking great care of this residence, ensuring that it remains a place cherished by all.
Halldór Haukur Jónsson (1912–1992) studied architecture at the Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden and went on to design dozens of buildings in Iceland. A book documenting his work includes a description of a building he designed, Vesturbrún 22, which is our current residence. The Embassy reached out to the City of Reykjavík and were able to confirm this by locating the original architectural blueprints in 1955.
Mr. Jónsson was also well-known for serving as the chairman of several major Icelandic companies—so much so that he was sometimes referred to as the "Chairman of Iceland."
Our former residence was known as the “Ashkenazy House.” The current residence is also a building of great historical significance and value, and I am struck by how fortunate the Embassy is to have such a wonderful residence. Perhaps it is because we Japanese have a deep attachment to our homes and place great value on them that we have been blessed with such an exceptional building.
I invited Mr. Garðar Halldórsson, the son of the architect, to visit the residence. He remarked that the building is "in good hands”, a sentiment that resonated deeply with me.
Please take a look at the photographs from the decoration conferment ceremony held at the residence on October 29th. The shape of the room goes well with the Japanese gold-leaf folding screen (byōbu) perfectly.
Moving forward, we intend to continue taking great care of this residence, ensuring that it remains a place cherished by all.
Mr. Garðar Halldórsson
Japanese gold-leaf folding screen