The Nordic House, designed by Alvar Aalto, was opened in 1968 and is the workplace for the Nordic Council of Ministers. The purpose for the building is the create and support cultural connections between Iceland and other Nordic countries. In this space they hold cultural events and exhibitions through a program that was developed by the Council of Ministers. It also houses one of the more unique and important libraries in Iceland, it has over 30,000 books, some in all seven different Nordic languages.

This being one of Aalto’s later works of architecture, it still holds his signature mark of organic shaped design. The blue roof has a unique shape to it that draws the eye up the building. He also used materials that make the structure feel more natural and not so industrial.