Curved Inspiration in Ice

"The Flying Buttress" bedroom suite with snow columns.

“The Flying Buttress” by AnnaKatrin Kraus & Hans Aescht.

Asaf Kliger

We are often asked if living in a Monolithic Dome is like living in a cave. It’s hard for some people to imagine a bright and beautiful interior that’s curved. Even more difficult is imagining the possibilities a dome structure provides. Usually people ask questions about hanging pictures or how well furniture fits against the dome wall. Sometimes, however, designers break through the square world and show us how it’s done. In Sweden, a temporary ice hotel is a masterpiece of curved architecture.

"Live your time" bedroom suite.

“Live your time” by Jose Carlos Cabello Millan & Javier Alvaro Colomino Matassa.

Asaf Kliger

"Don't say don't cry" snow engraving.

“Don’t say don’t cry” by Petri Tuominen & Urs Koller.

Asaf Kliger

It’s amazing. That’s all I can say. An art exhibit as architecture in ice. Nearly every room is curved with vaulted ceilings, sculpted columns, beautiful statues, and more. Various artists work every year to build these rooms from solid ice. This is the 26th year for the hotel.

Okay, so we may not want to carve elephants into the walls of a Monolithic Dome (or maybe you do), but the hotel gives us inspiration of what we can do with curved architecture. A dome home can be just as light and imaginative as the hotel.

Main hall design.

The Main Hall design, “Goahti”, by Erik Fankki & Arne Bergh.

Asaf Kliger

"Hibernate" bedroom suite.

“Hibernate” by Wouter Biegelaar & Viktor Tsarski.

Asaf Kliger

As for the Ice Hotel. It’s in Sweden and hosts weddings, events, and tourists from around the world. They offer snowmobile rides, dog sledding, horseback riding, or just a night under the northern lights. It looks amazing.

At least until it melts in the spring.

"Rhythm of the Arctic" bedroom suite with crystal ceiling.

“Rhythm of the Arctic” by Shingo Saito & Netsuke Saito.

Asaf Kliger

"Elephant in the Room" snow elephant statue.

“Elephant in the Room” by AnnaSofia Mååg.

Asaf Kliger

"New Luc." bedroom suite.

“New Luc.” by Marjolein Vonk & Maurizio Perron.

Asaf Kliger

"The Power of Love" bedroom suite.

“The Power of Love” by Sebastian Scheller & Kristina Möckel.

Asaf Kliger

"Cairn Forest" bedroom suite.

“Cairn Forest” by Annie Hanauer and Matt Chan.

Asaf Kliger

"Counting Sheep" ice sculptures.

“Counting Sheep” by Luca Roncoroni.

Asaf Kliger

"Momos" bedroom suite with ice sculptures.

“Momos” by Lotta Lampa & Julia Gamborg Nielsen.

Asaf Kliger

"Don't say don't cry" elephant engraving.

“Don’t say don’t cry” by Petri Tuominen & Urs Koller.

Asaf Kliger

"X, Y & Z" bedroom suite.

“X, Y & Z” by Anna Baumgarte & Liubov Moskvina.

Asaf Kliger

"Counting Sheep" bedroom suite.

“Counting Sheep” by Luca Roncoroni.

Asaf Kliger

"The Labyrinth Saga" bedroom suite.

“The Labyrinth Saga” by Clara Lindencrona & Kristin Borg.

Asaf Kliger

"Cesare's Wake" bedroom suite.

“Cesare’s Wake” by Petros Dermatas and Ellie Souti.

Asaf Kliger

"Rhythm of the Arctic" deluxe suite anteroom.

“Rhythm of the Arctic” by Shingo Saito & Natsuki Saito.

Asaf Kliger

"Eye Suite" bedroom suite.

“Eye Suite” by Nicolas Triboulot & Cedric Alizard.

Asaf Kliger

"Fractus" bedroom suite with angled walls.

“Fractus” by Anja Kilian & Wolfgang A Lüchow.

Asaf Kliger

The Ice Church design is called "Connect".

The Ice Church design is called “Connect” by Edith Maria Van der Wetering & Wilfred Stijger.

Asaf Kliger

The IceBar Jukkasjärvi design is called "Tribute".

The IceBar Jukkasjärvi design is called “Tribute” by Elin Julin, Marinus Vroom and Jens Thoms Ivarsson.

Asaf Kliger

"Love Capsule" bedroom suite.

“Love Capsule” by Luc Voisin & Mathieu Brison.

Asaf Kliger

"Show Me What You Got" peacock sculpture.

“Show Me What You Got” by Tjåsa Gusfors & David Andrén.

Asaf Kliger