ReykjavĂk Volume III
Proposal
University of Bath Sustainable cities M.Arch Design Studio 6.1 2018/19
Ben Martin Cecilia Ferrari Daniel Mclean Gian Virdi Piotr Paszkiewicz Samuel Kalejaye
Acknowledgements In the preparation of this report the group would like to give thanks to those who have given their time and knowledge throughout the course of the project. The final report has been made possible thanks to the knowledge and insight from the following: Professor Alex Wright Anna Claxton Jayne Barlow Rupert Grierson Andy Jarvis Jo Hibbert Studio Granda Tripoli Architects Iceland Acaemey of the arts Report to be read in conjunction with : Volume 1: Research & Analysis Volume 2: Process
Reykjavik - City of Light.
Reykjavik has an abundance of renewable energy resource which can act as the foundation for the future development in the city. Not only does this create huge economic advantages, it also creates a global draw to the city which can be used to re-define its identity. The aim of the masterplan is re re-create, re-brand and re-design Reykjavik through a series of key issues, which if holistically designed can improve the city’s overall identity. Focusing on the 101 zone allows the masterplan to address key social, political and economic issues enabling the proposal to have the biggest impact to the city, the country and the world. The beauty of Iceland’s nature can be drawn back into Reykjavik. If renewable energy can be explored to its maximum potential and the city can address the issues within the 101 then it can truly re-create it’s identity and become the true Northern capital city in the world. Reykjavik can become the city of light.
a city of
duality
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1.0 Context 1.1 Iceland 1.2 The City 1.3 Greykjavik 1.4 Assets 2.0 Issues 2.1 Identity 2.2 Climate 2.3 Energy 2.4 Social 2.5 Density
3.0 Proposal 3.1 City of Light 3.2 The 101 4.0 Strategies 4.1 Connectivity 4.2 Density 4.3 Energy 4.4 Climate 4.5 Key Areas
7.0 Viability 7.1 Planning 7.2 Funding 7.3 Cost 7.4 Financial Benefit 7.5 Impact 8.0 Interventions 8.1 Individual Projects
5.0 Key Areas 5.1 Winter Park 5.2 Summer Coast 5.3 Harbour 6.0 Focus 6.1 Light 6.2 Landscape 6.3 Street 6.4 Social 7
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1.0 context
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1.1 Iceland
a land of
duality
If ever there was a bounded, self-contained society, it might be Iceland. It is a moderately large island in the middle of the North Atlantic just below the Arctic circle. It is small and has a relatively homogeneous population descended from ninth-century refugees from the unification of Norway. If ever there was an island of history, it, too, might be Iceland. The settlers had hardly disembarked when their descendants in the twelfth century began writing about their histories, family relationships, hardships, and victories. Heavily influenced by both European and American cultures the country has defined itself at the centre of two continents relating to both, but becoming neither. Iceland presents itself as a land of fire and ice, a land of light and dark, a land of dualities.
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Ariel photograph of Iceland.
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Waterfalls
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Glaciers
Black sand beaches
Northern lights
“Iceland is a living geological masterpiece, a peerless volcanic land of dramatic skies,bubbling earth, thundering waterfalls and thermal lagoons.” Halldór Guðjónsson Icelandic novelist and Nobel price winner 1955
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Locale 101.
101 is the heart, soul and centre of Reykjavik. It is the area of the city which was first settled and is the connection of all political, social, economical and recreational activities of the city and Iceland. Its position in the North of the city means it benefits from protection from the Greenland sea due to the Reykjavik fjord forming a bay which the city spreads out along.
Reykjavik
Map of Reykjavik’s location.
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The City of Reykjavik
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Assets Reykjavik has an abundance of renewable energy resource which can act as the foundation for the future development in the city. Not only does this create huge economic advantages, it also creates a global draw to the city which can be used to re-define its identity. The aim of the masterplan is to use Iceland’s natural assets: the light and the landscape and bring them into Reykjavik. The combination of assets will inform design decisions creating a discourse that aims to give Reykjavik the identity it needs to become a true capital city.
“When I look at the northern lights, I see our ancestors dancing around a sacred fire.� Gylfie Gudmunsson, 101 resident 18
Light and Landscape
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2.0 issues
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2.1 Identity. The city is lost. People want the Northern lights, the waterfalls, the glaciers, the beaches and the mountains not the grey, dark streets of Reykjavik. Tourists use the city as a base to travel the rest of Iceland which has driven the residents too, out of the city, the result is a city centre which does not act as a city centre. The masterplan is going to address that.
“The mountains, the lights, the water, the nature. They are bright, full of life and magnificent. Reykjavik is not.â€? Maria JandĂłttir, Icelandic University of Arts
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2.2 Climate
Due to its proximity to the Arctic circle, Iceland experiences extremes in the amount of and loss of sunlight. The summer months are subject to the natural phenomena of the midnight sun where the sun barely kisses the horizon. The winter months also suffer from extremities of sunlight where the country only receives light for a 2 to 4 hours a day. A fluctuation of 22 hours is what Icelanders will experience between the peaks of summer and winter.
“If you don’t like the weather, just wait 15 minutes and it will change.” Ejudir frerddóttir, 101 Resident
June 21st, Summer Solstice - the sun will set in Reykjavik at midnight and then rise again at 3am, still bright enough to read a book outdoors though Spring and Autumn see extremes in the change in lighting conditions with early November losing around 10minutes of daylight a day December 21st, Winter Solstice - The sun will rise around 11:30am and set at 3:30 however the position of sun in winter never rises above 2 degrees which makes it very difficult to block that sun for all those drivers. 23
Midday Sun
Midnight Sun Midnight Sun
1am
4am
2pm 2pm 10am 10am
January 21st January Shortest21st Day Shortest Day
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June 21st June 21st
Longest Day Longest Day
December
July
Winter Solstice where the sun never rises above 2° and the city is in darkness for 20 hours a day
Summer Solstice where the midnight sun can be experienced and the sun is never higher than 45°
Hospitals
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6
Suicides
00
Sea so na l
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t: gh Li
Suicides
Circadian C l
Winter, Autumn/ Deep Sleep Deep Sleep Deep Sleep Deep Sleep Eat Deep Sleep Deep Sleep Deep Sleep
Suicides
12
6
Hospitals
18
k oc
Summer, Spring/ Deep Sleep Wake Eat Work Eat Work Eat Sleep
00
40 commit suicide every year
The Biggest Consumer of Antidepressants Canada
Australia
Portugal
Iceland
Sweden
UK
120
100
50
0
Denmark
Iceland’s Mental Health Epidemic
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2.3 Energy.
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Sitting on the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the largest fault line on Earth, Iceland has an abundance of resources which allow if to be the gold standard for renewable’s. Iceland are the pioneers in geothermal space heating with 9 in 10 of Reykjavik’s homes being heated through geothermal water.
Oil
95 90 85 80 75
The reliance contributes 10% to Iceland’s carbon foot print alone and Fishing and transportation takes up 95% of Iceland’s oil consumption. Although a global leader in renewable energy, Iceland has the potential to become 100% green, potential acting as a research and development capital of energy use globally.
Geothermal
70 65 % of energy consumption
Being the land of fire and ice, Iceland is mainly renewable. However Iceland despite all the natural resources, Iceland is still one the highest gasoline consumers per capita in Europe, with a daily consumption 1.58 litres per person, compared to Denmark with 0.94l and Norway with 0.73l. The cause of this is the importing of fossil fuels for cars, buses and planes, and its fishing industry.
60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 Hydroelectric
2020
2015
2010
2005
2000
1995
1990
1985
1980
1975
1970
5 0
19% derived from oil
71% energy derived from renewable 26
Iceland’s energy composition
Iceland’s Oil Dependancy
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2.4 Social.
There is a distinct lack of social space in Reykjavik with the car having been given priority over the person with residential streets being long and lacking character. The city’s climate results in a duality between darkness and light and poor lighting has resulted in un-used public space. The aim of the masterplan is to re-connect people in the city by re-designing the way they can interact and by providing the opportunity to do so.
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2.5 Density.
If Reykjavik was condensed by removing all carparks & roads it could fit in just
48% of available land. current footprint, 52% of which devoted to the car. 48% potential footprint.
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3.0 proposal
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3.1 The City of Light. “We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is evoked by light.� Louis Kahn
The proposal gives Reykjavik a new identity by responding to its unique climatic conditions: 23 hours of daylight in the summer; and 23 hours of darkness in the winter. Its aim is to celebrate light and absence of light during the two seasons and at different times of the day. Under this new identity issues regarding energy, density, transport and social activity are solved and implemented from a global scale down to a locale scale. The proposal - The City of Light - celebrates the summer light and the winter light. This creates two unique environments in the city that keeps the city alive throughout the year. As its stand, Reykjavik is a city that is overshadowed by the natural Icelandic landscape. The new identity proposed in the masterplan aims to make Reykjavik a place that is sought after just as much as the context it sits in by identifying its unique resources and using them to their full potential.
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Identity Climate Energy, Density, Transport, Social
REYKJAVIK
REYKJAVIK
CITY OF
CITY OF
SUMMER
WINTER
LIGHT
LIGHT
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Reykjavik
Climate
Summer
Winter
The form in which this new identity is implemented is through the use of light and landscape. Given the two conditions - summer and winter - the proposal responds by using natural and artificial light to create social activity. In the summer this is achieved through manipulating the built form to celebrate moments of light in the day, for example, the celebration of the midnight sun. In the winter the focus is on the use of artificial light which will also create moments to gather and socialise. The proposal also takes into account the need for darkness in the summer and light in the winter. Providing spaces that can function in both seasons is essential to our proposal.
Light
The element that ties both seasons together and Reykjavik to the rest of the island is landscape - trees in particular. Replanting trees in Reykjavik pays homage to Iceland history of being a forest and emphasises Reykjavik as the largest ‘forest’ in Iceland. It is also a gesture to bring the Icelandic landscape into the city of Reykjavik. The result of the intervention allows Reykjavik to become an extension of the sought after Icelandic landscape. Landscape
Concept Diagrams of the Masterplan.
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Concept visual of the Masterplan.
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3.2 The 101.
The locale chosen to implement the City of Light is the 101 (city centre). As it stands, the 101 acts as the nucleus not just for the city but for the entire country because it hosts the majority of governmental, financial and cultural buildings for the country. Therefore it was chosen because it would have the greatest impact on the future landscape of the country. The long term strategy for the 101 is to make it private car free in order to solve issues regarding energy, density, transport, and social activity. Despite being known as a very sustainable city due to its abundance of renewable energies, Reykjavik is heavily dependant on cars which produce CO2 emissions. Currently, a huge proportion of the city is taken up by cars via roads and car parks and if the city was to be condensed by removing car infrastructure it could fit into just 48% of its current footprint. This shows the amount of land that is available considering there is a need to densify. By drastically reducing the amount of cars in the 101, this unlocked land can be used to re-densify the city for residential and mixed use developments.
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For the 101 to become private car free, a new and improved transportation network is needed. The masterplan implements a series of trams routes, cycling routes and walking routes that connect the 101 to surrounding districts. Proposed trams are powered by wind energy captured off shore which both run around and through the city. Through careful planning trams stops are no further than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in the 101 (7 minutes max). In addition to trams, geothermal powered cycling and walking routes provide a level of comfort for shorter journeys. An improved transportation network will drastically reduce the city’s CO2 emission. The excess of land also allows for new public spaces to be created. The masterplan adopts a strategy that responds to the climatic conditions in summer and winter. In the summer people are encouraged out towards the coast, and in the winter people are to retreat into the city. Therefore two super landscapes were created: the summer coast, and the winter park. Despite the name, both landscapes can be used at any time in the year. The purpose of the landscape is to provide an environment for social interaction for the many festivals and celebrations that exists in the city and for the ones proposed in the city of light masterplan.
mix use densification development
new indutry buildings (wind energy & research)
harbour central park
old industry buildings
activated harbour waterfront edge (culture & recreation)
underground tram station
light beaconthe symbol of new industry
city & regional tram stop intersection + landscaped public square & market area
coastal densification strategy (residential & mix use)
M RA AT N UL TIO NIC EC PE ONN C
coastal summer park & tree buffer & ‘social magnets’ zone
ST OA M H C L TRA RT NO IONA E G LIN RE
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SO RE UTH C G LIN IONA OAST LT E/ R K AIR EFLA AM DIR POR VIK T EC TIO N
NEW MIX-USE & RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AREA
Proposed Masterplan | Original scale 1:2500 @ A1 new extended winter park
winter park - summer coast green link
ity
rs
ive
un
er
m
m
u -s
g st
water retention pools
101 gateway square regional & city tram interchange / new bussines centre
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Industry Docklands
The Harpa Concert Hall
Phase 1: Tourist tax zone Sprawl restriction area 101 Zone Air B&B ban Improved Bus Routes Hallgrimskirkja Church
Bus Terminal
Phase 2: Congestion Zone Cycle routes No Car 101 Tram building 101 City Centre densification strategy Winter park Phase 3: Coastal densification Summer Park Phase 4: Tram connections to Iceland Harbour densification City routes network Research Centre
Existing City
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Energy Research Centre
Harbour Mixed Use
The Harbour Station Mixed Use Development
New Harbour Cultural Centre Mixed Use Development The Harpa Concert Hall
The Stage Station Summer Coast Mixed Use Development
Hallgrimskirkja Church
City centre densification
Winter Park Gateway Station Gateway Square Mixed Use Development
Proposed Masterplan
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40
4.0 strategies
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4.1 Connectivity.
The regional strategy for the masterplan is to: • Improve connectivity from the centre of Reykjavik - the 101 - to the surrounding districts and nearby cities in order to reduce the reliance on cars and to reduce CO2 emissions •
Implement a series of taxes and charges that will significantly reduce the amount of cars within the city to allow for densification without further sprawl
The long term ambition is for the 101 locale is to become private car free except for disabled access, emergencies and deliveries. The connectivity strategy is to use a series of tram networks, cycling routes and walking route to connect the 101 to Iceland on a regional scale and to surrounding districts on a local scale, respectively. The 101 is the centre of Reykjavik and so not only is it the nucleus of the city, it is the nucleus of the whole country therefore connection to it is vital as the city grows.
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Diagram of the Connectivity Strategy.
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Proposed regional framework map | Original scale 1:10000 @ A1
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STAGE 1 (2020)
Urban sprawl & Tourist taxation
STAGE 2 a & b (2030)
Geothermaly powered tram network
STAGE 3 (2040)
101 no private car zone
STAGE 4 (2050)
Summer Coast / tree buffer development
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There are three proposed trams that serve the 101 and Reykjavik: Northern line, Central line, and Inner City line. The Northern line runs along the northern coast from the harbour towards the western region of Iceland; the Central lines runs through the middle of Reykjavik from Seltjarnarnes (far east side) towards the Southern peninsula region and southern region; and the Inner City line dissects the city and connects to the Central and Northern lines. This ensures access to the 101 from surrounding districts. There are three key transportation hubs in the 101 locale: the Gateway, Stage, and Harbour. At these locations users have the option to change trams to get to their final destination. The stations also acts as social hubs that have a generous amount of public space and amenities.
Diagram of the Connectivity Strategy.
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Plan of the Connectivity Routes.
Key Primary Route Secondary Route Tertiary Route Transport Buildings Transport Nodes
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The primary mode of transportation proposed in the masterplan are wind powered trams. Inspired by developments in the Netherlands, all trains and trams will run entirely on wind energy. According to Eneco and the Dutch national railway company NS, one windmill running for an hour can power a train for 120 miles. Considering the distance covered by the proposed trams is only 10 miles per single route, a wind turbine operating for 2 hours can generate enough energy to power a single tram per day. Secondary routes are geothermally heated cycling routes that run through the centre and into adjacent districts. Tertiary routes are a series of walking pathways that are prioritised for pedestrians. In current planning, the prioritisation of the car deters pedestrians from using these major routes.
Primary Routes - Tram Networks
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Secondary Routes - Cycle routes
Tertiary Routes - Pedestrianised streets
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Tram stops for the wind powered trams are carefully positioned across the masterplan to ensure access within a reasonable timeframe. The time-frame adopted by the masterplan is a 5 minute walk on average from any point in the 101. This network will be a significant improvement on the current bus system which are unreliable. Efficient, frequent trams will encourage people to use public transportation and reduce the amount cars needed in the city.
To Kjalarnes
Harbour
Outside the city of Reykjavik, wind powered trains are used to connect the city to other Icelandic regions. One of these trains is the Keflavik Express which connects the airport to the 101 in conjunction with the central line. This provide a better alternative to the larger number of coaches that travel to and from.
101 Stage
Seltjarnarnes
Airport site
Future expansion includes: an extension of the Inner City line that will run through the airport site to connect the north and the south; and a new southern line that runs along the southern coast and terminates at Seltjarnarnes.
Hallgrímskirkja Gateway
ZONE 2
Elliðaárdalur Station
Elliðaárdalur Park To Úlfarsársdalur & Grafarholt
KEY
This strategy will allow Reykjavik to be easily accessible from the periphery as well as the rest of the Island. As the city grows and demand increases, lines can be extended and new networks established.
Central Line Central Line NorthernLine Line Northern InnerCity City Line Inner Line InnerCity City Line future expansion Inner Line Future Expansion AirportExpress express train Airport Train Future Southern Line Future Southern Line Keflavik Airport
Regional and Inner City Transportation Network
KEY Central Line Northern Line Inner City Line Inner City Line future expansion Airport express train Future Southern Line
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Plan of the Transportation Network
Key Tram Stops Northern Line Southern Line Inner City Line 5 Minute Walking Distance
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4.2 Densification. 180,000 Reykjavik 400,000 Iceland According to the medium projection variant the Icelandic population will grow from 332 to 442,000 persons in the next 50 years due to both migration and natural increase. The high variant predicts a population of 523 thousand while the low variant projects 369 thousand inhabitants in 2065. 17,000 apartments will be needed in Iceland by the end of 2019, according to a new report from the Housing Financing Fund (HFF) which will be intensified by the population increase. Reykjavik is suffering from dramatic urban sprawl due to increasing house prices, and because of the existing and forthcoming housing crisis the masterplan aims to address both issues through series of densification strategies which run parallel to the city’s population increase. The strategies are spaced out over a period of 40 years which allows for the capital growth and matches the predicted population growth.
120,000 Reykjavik 340,000 Iceland
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1 2
395,253
250k
2070
300k
3 Strategy 3
381,151
350k
337,780 343,228
450k
Strategy 2
2040
Strategy 1
200k
2018 2020
150k
Graph showing the Densification strategy
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The densification strategy for the masterplan works in tandem with the connectivity strategy. By improving transportation and reducing the number of cars in the city, space currently taken up by cars in the form of roads and car parks can be used to densify the city. The masterplan uses 3 key strategies integrated over a period of 40 years in order to re-densify the city. Strategy 1 ‘fills the void’ left over by the removal of car parks as well as infilling vacant plots. Strategy 2 looks to densify along the coast by re-purposing the 2 lane dual carriageway, and by challenging the city’s planning guidelines by taking into consideration the topography of the land. Strategy 3 is a major development of the harbour as an alternative to meet the city’s demand. It includes a large area for mixed use development, including residential, commercial, industrial and cultural buildings.
Diagram of the Density Strategy.
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Plan of the Densification Proposal
Key Proposed Buildings
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Strategy 1.
By addressing Reykjavik’s reliance on cars and eventually turning the 101 into a private-car free zone, this presents the opportunity fill296k the voids left by vehicle use in the city centre. It is estimated that 52% of the land is given to the car including 20,000m2 of car parks which has 2018 2020 2070 2040 the potential for 700,00m3 of houses to be built.
2020
The masterplan aims to re-purpose these roads in order to provide a sense of identity to the city, these transformed spaces will be filled 282kthe vernacular of the street. with existing archetypes that match Mainly located in the centre of the 101, the buildings are to offer a function to the street aswell as providing , with 2018 2020 2040 housing to residents2070 the aim to create a holistic streetscape which benefits from a mixed use of functions. 207,6k
2018
2020
2040
2070
700,000m 3 600,000m3 of houses created 100,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial
5,000 people Fill the voids left by the existing carparks to match Reykjavik’s vernacular
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Model of Strategy 1 proposal - infilling of vacant sites and voids
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Strategy 2. Strategy 2 allows for the mass densification of the coastline. By implementing tram infrastructure to replace the large ring road, valuable space formerly dedicated to the car can be developed. Set by a series of rules on the following page, the strategy uses the low sun path in Reykjavik (max 45o) to challenge the existing planning laws which restrict the development of tall buildings in the city.
2040
The current planning laws set a 5 storey limit across the city without taking into consideration the typography of the land. The strategy sets Hallgrimskirkja church tower as datum for the maximum height of proposed development by exploiting the falling typography to maximize vertical development. This allows for rapid densification 296k whilst preserving the church’s significance in the city. A series of2020 rules outline strategy2040 2 which enable a highly densified 2018 2070
area that respects the existing city and creates a framework for future Architects to have creative control. 282k
2018
2020
2040
2070
7,300,000m 3
207,6k
2018
2020
5,000,000m3 of houses created.
2040
2070
2,300,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial.
30,000 people - Increase maximum development datum to the height of the Hallgrimskirkja church - Create lighting strategies to maximise daylight exposure/shading
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Model of Strategy 2 proposal - Mass Densification of the Coastline
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Strategy 2 Rules. Street Scale Building Cap
Street Cap The development closest to the street must maintain the same building height which preserves the street scale.
Street Cap
Daylight
Light to Squares Squares within the development must provide solar shading in the summer and enhance daylight in the winter. Because of the sun path the most efficient way is to angle each building by 20o towards the square. The angle must start at a height which creates active street frontages to the square
Church Clock Datum The height of the church clock will set a datum for the maximum height of development in the area. The height cap will align with the street scale cap to create a maximum vertical development boundary on the site. To maintain heritage in the city the densification starts after Laugavegur street and is excluded from the heritage zone.
Sunlight
20
20
Maximum height
Light to squares
Heritage zone
Building height capped at church clock
Church Clock Datum
Views to the sea
Streets and Squares
Squares
All squares must have a relationship with the coast and have direct views to the sea. Streets & Squares
Concept Diagrams of the Massing Rules.
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Summer Sun
Winter Sun
Rule 1 I Heights
Rule 3 I Streets
The height of the existing building in the
Linear streets allowing for protection from the
heritage zone set the minimum datum line. The
bays weather conditions
height of the church clock set the maximum datum line.
Summer Sun
Summer Sun
Winter Sun
Rule 2 I Light
Winter Sun
Rule 4 I Squares
Light channels connect to the existing streets
All streets to connect to a square which must
to maximise the light potential on the summer
have views and connections to the coast and
coast.
the city.
Diagrams of the Massing Rules.
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Massing Rules Model showing Rule 1 - The Datum
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Massing Rules Model showing Rule 4 - The Squares.
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Strategy 3.
The final strategy in 2070 aims to anticipate the population boom predicted. Following a similar rule set to strategy 2, the densification uses the line of the midnight sun to dictate where developments can be built tall. The low level buildings allow for the harbour to benefit from unparalleled views of the sun during winter and summer months, increasing its potential as a high value asset to the city.
2060
The high density units are based upon a housing ratio of 120 dw/ ha which will enable 30% of the land to be given away to commercial and 20% to retail and leisure. This will create a vibrancy of mixed uses giving Reykjavik an asset which can be used by both tourists and residents alike.
296k
2018
2020
2070
2040
10,000,000m 3
282k
2018
2020
6,000,000m3 of houses created.
2070
2040
4,000,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial.
40,000 people 207,6k
2018
2020
2040
mi
2070
dn
igh t su
n
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- Maximise density by building tall to the East to reduce overshadow - Create light channels for midnight sun exposure
MODEL PHOTO
Model of Strategy 3
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Added Value. Based on the European construction index of 0.82 the local house prices have been used to calculate revenue on the assumption that costs will not increase over the next 25 years. TDC - Total Development Cost MPR - Minimum profit requirement GDV - Gross Development Value RLV - Residual Land Value
Commercial = 2,450,000m3
RLV = GDV - (TDC + MPR)
Leisure = 2,450,000m3
Price to build 1m3 of real estate in Reykjavik city centre: 375,000Kr = £2200 Price per 1m3 of real estate in Reykjavik city centre: 570,000kr = £3,800
Available
Outlined in the 2026 Icelandic Housing Commission report, it is deemed that any government funded house is to recover 15% profit. Retail = 6,000,000m3
Required
11,600,000m3 of houses created 6,010,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial. Total Cost of development over 40 years = £3,872,000,000 Total Value of Land created over 40years = £4,638,000,000 Residual Land value over 40 years = £2,185,200,000
4,610,000m3
50% of the projects aimed to be funded through the generation of wealth through Iceland government selling the excess renewable energy opening up the market to European and American investors in Reykjavik. The cost breakdown of investment are as follows: Icelandic Government Cost: £1,936,000,000 Profit: £290,400,000 European investors Cost: £986,000,000 Profit: £147,900,000 American investor Cost: £986,000,000 Profit: £147,900,000
4,610,000m3 3 Gained =17,600,000m Needed for homes=
370% of the required volume to achieve the necessary densities
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Strategy 1 Cost - £132,000,000 600,000m3 of houses created 100,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial GDV - £178,000,000 TDC - £132,000,000 MPR - £19,800,000 RLV = £26,200,000 Strategy 3 Strategy 2 Cost £1,540,000,000 5,000,000m3 of houses created 2,000,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial. GDV - £2,660,000,000 TDC - £1,540,000,000 MPR - £231,000,000 Strategy 1
RLV = £889,000,000
Strategy 3
Strategy 2
Strategy 1
Cost £2,200,000,000 6,000,000m3 of houses created 4,000,000m3 of let-able development including offices, retail and commercial. GDV - £3,800,000,000 TDC - £2,200,000,000 MPR - £330,000,000 RLV = £1,270,000,000
Added Value Total Cost of development over 40 years = £3,872,000,000 Total Value of Land created over 40years = £4,638,000,000 Residual Land value over 40 years = £2,185,200,000 Plan showing the 3 Key Strategies for Adding Value.
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Building Typologies. Strategy 1 •
Splitting the function of the inserted houses into commercial and services on the ground floor and residential on the upper floors. The guidance for the split is 40% / 60%.
•
Inserted houses are shifted towards the street area for the maximum of 33% of the street width. This regulation intends to provide engaging streets for the residents but also not diminish cycling and walking routes.
•
The other intention behind shifting the new insertions is to provide enough daylight into both the new and existing houses.
Strategy 2 •
Densified areas with tall buildings will have a rule of 20o which brings more daylight into the street between the residential towers.
•
Maximum height of the buildings on the Summer Coast is 65m with commercial going up to +4m and office / public zones up to +11m.
•
The split of the new buildings intends to provide engaging ground floor planes with shops, services and public plazas.
Strategy 3 •
Harbour densification is based on the high density housing ratio of 120 dw/ ha.
•
Carving of the south-east part of the development allows for the midnight sun to penetrate towards the coast and the city centre. It also decreases the housing density to 80 dw/ ha in that area.
•
The maximum height for all developments is capped at +45m with public / commercial spaces between 0 and +8m.
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100%
Volumes providing high density housing ratio of 120 dw / ha
60%
Volumes providing high density housing ratio of 120 dw / ha
25°
RL max + 68m RL max + 45m
RL max + 27m
resi 33%
33%
33%
office / pubic
90 dw / ha
RL + 11m
120 dw / ha
RL + 4m
commercial
resi protected urban squares
RL + 4/8m
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4.3 Energy.
The energy strategy is to alleviate the demand and reliance on geothermal and hydro-power by harnessing other renewable resources which can be used across the city. The ambition is for the entire country to operate entirely on renewable energy and be carbon positive. The global ambition is for Iceland to export energy to nearby countries such as the UK and France, thus creating economic wealth. Renewable energy such wind, tidal and solar are captured in the 101 locale and are used to power trams, buildings and lights in the centre. Surplus energy is used to support the rest of Reykjavik. The masterplan also explores ways of using geothermal energy to its full potential to improve environmental conditions within the city, for example, heated cycle routes. Tidal energy is captured along the coast; wind energy is captured and farmed offshore; and solar energy is captured during the long, day-lit, days in the summer. 70
Diagram of the Energy Strategy
71
TRAMS
101
TIDAL SOLAR WIND
GEOTHERMAL
HEATING 72
BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS
LIGHTS
EXPORT
ELECTRICITY
SURPLUS = EXPORT = ECONOMIC GAIN CYCLING & PUBLIC SPACES
TREES 73
The city currently uses geothermal energy and hydro-power to produce electricity, heating and hot water for its buildings, however transport and industry is heavily reliant on oil. The strategy provides a solution to combat this. Wind energy is captured off shore and fed towards the new energy research centre located in the harbour. This will be used to power the trams and trains that run from the 101 out to the rest of Iceland. The centre will use the skills of local fishermen for the maintenance and navigation of the wind turbines. This creates new jobs and a ‘new industry’ that is more sustainable. Further research into sustainable fishing will also be a conducted at the new research centre because of its cultural significance. Geothermal energy will be used to its full potential by creating a new network of geothermal pipes that will heat up cycling routes to remove snow from the ground and provide heating at tram stops. The purpose is to provide comfortable environments to encourage people to use public transport and to cycle. Tidal energy is captured along the northern coast to power lights used in the landscaping of the coast whilst solar energy is captured on the roof of proposed buildings in the long summer days to provide electricity.
Diagram of the Energy Strategy.
74
Plan of Energy generation
Key Wind Energy Geothermal Energy Tidal Energy Solar Energy Energy Buildings
75
Wind. Pavement halo strip lighting.
Structural poles acting as energy transfers from the ground to the lights on the roof.
Semi-Translucent Sheet material to reverberate the light and reflect the sky.
Change of paving surface to indicate different use.
Train powered by the Harbour wind turbines.
Green strip dividing Tram lines and walking zones.
Isometric of Tram Shelter.
The trams proposed in the masterplan run entirely of wind energy produced off shore. Based on statistics from the Netherlands, one windmill running for an hour can power a train for 120 miles. Considering the distance covered by the proposed trams is only 10 miles per single route, a wind turbine operating for 2 hours can generate enough energy to power a single tram per day. The tram capacity can easily be increased by expanding the number of wind turbines. 76
Isometric of Tram Platform.
Plan of the Tram Network.
Key Primary Route - Tram Network Secondary Route Tertiary Route Transport Buildings Transport Nodes
77
Geothermal. Redirected Geothermal Heat Wall.
Tree and Hill Wind Buffer.
Coastal Walk.
The masterplan aims to encourage cycling around the city to reduce carbon emission and the reliance on cars. Given the climatic conditions in the city, the design of the cycling routes takes into consideration the need to protect cyclists from the weather. This is achieved through the implementation of geothermal energy and manipulation of the ground. A new network of geothermal pipes are installed underground to remove snow in the cold winter month. In some places geothermal energy is redirected into walls that will radiate heat to provide further comfort when needed. The wall in conjunction with trees shelter cyclists from strong winds especially on the coast. This strategy uses existing resources to its full potential to create a better environment for the city.
Isometric of the Cycling Network and Landscape.
78
Solar. Using strong ocean winds for natural ventilation.
Green roofs filtrate water and transform it to the flush water for WCs.
Plant rooms and wind ‘catchers’ for more effective natural ventilation.
Proposed buildings in the masterplan use photovoltaic panels to capture solar energy during the long days in the summer. The energy captured on the roof will be used to provide the electricity for the buildings themselves. Any surplus of energy will be fed into the grid and used elsewhere or exported to other countries. Green roofs provide a sustainable drainage system that can prevent water pollution and flooding. Water captured on the roof is filtered and used for flushing toilets in the buildings.
Isometric of the Building Energy Strategies.
79
Trees.
WASTE
The masterplan looks to replant trees across Reykjavik, starting in the 101 to improve the air quality and provide green landscapes in the city. After many centuries of deforestation in Iceland by the Viking settlers, the soil has been unable to bind and as a result a layer of permafrost has been built up in the ground, restricting tree growth in Iceland. The masterplan aims to restore soil quality in order to create large vegetated spaces like the winter park and summer coast. The soil strategy therefore lays the foundation for the planting strategy. Natural resources and renewable energy are used in the process of generating good soil. With a growing population and access to renewable energy, human waste and geothermal energy, creates a sustainable cycle that can produce as much soil as needed. The process happens at a composting site just outside Reykjavik and soil is transported via purpose built trams to the required areas.
80
Growing population provides the opportunity to use human waste as part of a sustabinable replanting strategy.
GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
Existing geothermal energy is used to heat up the waste to dry it out.
[RE]PLANTING
COMPOSTING SITE
The dried waste is mixed with organic matter to form good soil.
GOOD SOIL
The soil produced will begin the process of restoring the soil condition in Reykjavik.
TREES
The process provides a sustainable strategy to plant new trees across Reykjavik starting in the 101. The trees provide protection against wind and creates new public spaces across the city.
[RE]YKJAVIK
81
Strategy.
82
83
4.4 Climate.
The concept of the ‘City of Light’ derives from Iceland’s unique lighting condition in summer and winter. The country can experience up to 23 hours of daylight in the summer and up to 23 hours of darkness in the depths of winter, this creates a bipolar environment in the city. The strategy adopted by the masterplan is to encourage people out onto the underused coast in the summer, and in the winter encourage people to retreat back into the sheltered city. This is evident in the creation of two superlandscapes: the summer coast, and the winter park, which provide a host of events and celebrations during year. This strategy is also seen in the planning of the proposed buildings, many of which surround public squares and streets to provide a more intimate environment protected by the city. The summer coast and winter park together create two contrasting environments that respond to the climatic conditions of Reykjavik. Despite their names, both can be used at any time in the year to host large events in the city.
84
Diagram of the Climatic Strategy.
85
The summer coast replaces a 2-lane dual carriageway along the north coast of the city. It runs from the edge of the 101 zone up to the harbour, disconnecting the city to water and landscape beyond. The purpose of the coast is to provide an open environment that takes full advantage of the views. Due to the strong winds that can be experienced, trees are densely populated to act as a wind buffer to provide protection. The winter park is located at the south corner of the 101, inbetween the airport site and the city centre. Its location provides an opportunity to create an oasis in the middle of the city for people to retreat to. An increase in population, due to the densification strategy and the development of the airport site, will require more green space in the city. The park hopes to meet this future demand. In addition to increasing the amount of green space in the city, the park also serves a function to prevent inner city sprawl from the city centre.
Summer expansion into the landscape.
The landscape of the proposed harbour is an extension of the summer coast that seeks to re-establish Reykjavik’s lost connection to water through a series of interventions that re-engage the water’s edge.
Winter retreat to the sheltered park.
86
Plan of Winter and Summer Parks.
87
Because of the bipolar nature of Iceland’s climate, the spaces proposed in the masterplan take into consideration the duality between winter and summer, dark and light, which effect the design and programme. The three key spaces where this theme is most prominent are the winter park, summer coast and harbour. These spaces adopt a different character according to the climatic conditions.
Winter Park
88
Summer Coast
Harbour
Axonometric showing the Duality of Spaces.
89
New Energy Research Centre Light Beacon
Mixed Use Harbour Development
The Shore
The Harbour
The Harpa Concert Hall
Summer Coast Mixed Use Development
Hallgrimskirkja Church
Winter Park Final model illustrating masterplan.
90
The Gateway
4.5 Key Areas.
The masterplan identifies Hallgrímskirkja church, Harpa concert hall, and harbour as important assets to the city. It therefore attempts to tie them together through the use of landscape and transport. The gateway, stage, and harbour are key transportation and social hubs that reinforce and extend the axis between Hallgrímskirkja and Harpa. This creates a cultural spine that runs through the middle of the city. The key areas that illustrate our vision for the ‘City of Light’ can be seen in the design of the summer coast, winter park and harbour, each offering a unique experience of the city during the winter and summer months.
Diagram of the Masterplan.
91
92
5.0 Key Areas
93
5.1 Winter Park.
The winter park is an urban oasis that acts as a shelter and focal point for the city, especially during the harsh and exposed winter months. It provides a more intimate and enclosed space isolated from the bustling urban environment. Unlike the tree buffer sheltering the summer coast from the winds, the trees in the winter park acts as a visual buffer to subtly detach the park from the city. This provides an experience of being immersed into the new vision for Reykjavik’s landscape - the forest. The site of the park is located adjacent to an existing, underused park and garden, Hljómskálagarður. However the vast proportion of the site is currently dedicated to car infrastructure. Located on the periphery of the 101, it presents the opportunity to extend Hljómskálagarður to provide a generous amount of green space for the city and the future development of the airport. Being named the ‘Winter Park’ it’s design is to capture and celebrate the essence of winter in Reykjavik. Thermal bathing, ice-skating and traditional reading can be carried out, with amenities to support these activities throughout the park. 94
Perspective of the Winter Park.
95
Axonometric of the Winter Park.
96
Social magnets e.g shops, markets, cafes, bathing facilities
Public square / spill out space
Landscaped forest
Lights
Thermal pool
Seating for spectating
Boardwalk path
Lake / Ice rink
The Winter Park. 97
Proposed Winter Park | Sectional Perspective - Winter Scale 1:250
98
Proposed Winter Park | Sectional Perspective - Summer Scale 1:250
99
The Gateway. The Gateway is a station that marks the tip of the winter park. It is named the ‘Gateway’ because it’s the entry point into the 101 from the Central line, which is connected to a wider train network. The space framing the Gateway station is designed to provide a habitable landscape for social, outdoor activities such as thermal bathing, playing, walking and cycling. The somewhat remote location of the gateway, pushed on the limit of the 101 zone and surrounded by a vast green area, also make it the perfect location to see the northern lights. The lighting strategy in the park will be timed to allow controlled, scheduled moments of darkness, so that the night-sky will become more visible.
100
Atmospheric perspective of the Gateway.
101
5.2 Summer Coast.
By replacing the overly generous 2 lane dual carriageway with an efficient, sustainable tram system, the coast can be redeveloped as a major public amenity in the city, reestablishing a relationship between Reykjavik and the water. The site is currently a overly sized 2 lane dual carriageway susceptible to strong winds, actively fracturing the waters edge with the city. This deters people from spending time on the coast especially in the winter period. The primary objective was therefore to provide protection. This is achieved through changes in level and densely planted trees to act as a buffer. Proposed buildings are manipulated to capture moments of light onto the coast at different times of the day. This concentrates people onto a particular areas along an expansive coast. The planning of the buildings create public squares that are more sheltered to provide more intimate environments. Functions within these squares change depending on the time of year i.e. it may become an ice skating rink in the winter. This follows our climate strategy on a locale scale - encouraging movement out onto the coast in the summer and retreating into the squares in the winter. In addition, the existing water front buildings are repurposed to provide public amenities on the ground floor where feasible. 102
103
Axonometric of the Summer Coast.
104
Tram stop
Social magnets e.g cafe, restaurant, bars.
Space for outdoor events e.g outdoor pop up cinema
Trees and hills to provide shelter from winds
Hill with integrated heating for cyclists Cycling route with underground heating to provide comfort
Coastal walk, provides scenic view from the coast
The Summer Coast. 105
Proposed Summer Park | Sectional Perspective - Winter Scale 1:250
106
Proposed Summer Park | Sectional Perspective - Summer Scale 1:250
107
5.3 The Harbour.
The role of the harbour development is twofold: to provide a new cultural centre in the city, and to provide a solution to meet the future density demands of the city. The site is currently home to a range of industrial, commercial, tourist and cultural building. These include large warehouses, garages and process buildings for the fishing industry. It also contains museums, restaurants and book stores but the majority of the site is left abandoned and derelict. As it stands the area hosts a large number of galleries and museums. The masterplan aims to magnify the importance of these cultural buildings in the city by creating a more cohesive environment around the water’s edge that is tied to the summer coast landscape. In addition, small extensions will be added to existing buildings to increase their capacity to accommodate larger building programmes. The design of the harbour focuses on hard landscaping to improve the relationship between people and water. Interventions include stepped seating and piers to reengage the waters edge. The street located behind the harbour, Grandagarður, will become a pedestrianised street served by a row of repurposed garages. It will provide a place to retreat similar to the public squares on the summer coast. This street will become a market with a different character to the water’s edge. 108
Proposed Harbourside Development Perspective. 109
Axonometric of the Harbourside.
110
Interventions to existing buildings
Existing buildings
Seating
Outdoor terrace
Harbourwalk
Bathing facilities
Boat tours Thermal pool Harbour pier
The Harbour. 111
Proposed Harbourside Development | Sectional Perspective -Winter Scale 1:250
112
Proposed Harbourside Development | Sectional Perspective - Summer Scale 1:250
113
114
6.0 focus
115
6.1 Light.
As the ‘City of Light’, the lighting strategy responds to both seasons through the use of light and landscape. The overarching strategy is to enhance street life by providing areas shaded from the daylight in the summer and areas illuminated in the winter. It’s purpose is to reduce the effect Iceland’s climatic lighting conditions have on the people’s circadian clock. On the city scale the built form is manipulated to provide shading in the summer and enhance the light in the winter. At night the city is illuminated to highlight the streets that stitch the city together and the key landmarks which include: the Gateway station, Hallgrímskirkja church, the Stage and Harpa, the Harbour station, and the Beacon. Our lighting strategy extends down onto a street scale through the use of artificial lighting and landscape to mimic daylight and night time in winter and summer, respectively. The masterplan provides shading from the long day-lit summer days through the use of trees, whilst artificial light mimics daylight in winter. 116
Plan showing the lighting character and major interventions of the proposal.
Light Beacon
Harbour Station
Harpa concert Hall
The Stage
HallgrĂmskirkja
The Gateway
117
Lighting the Coast. 1
The lighting strategy on the coast considers the expansive length of the coast against the maximum number of people in Reykjavik. As a result the density strategy for the coastal park allows for moments of light - corresponding to the sunpath - which will create a concentrated amount of people stimulating a more vibrant coast. The design of the buildings and streets takes into account the path of the sun in the morning, midday and late afternoon in the summer and therefore articulate to maximise the amount of sunlight. The building forms are manipulated to ‘carve’ moments of light and create ‘light tunnels’ which allow for a greater connection into the city. The most prominent of the light tunnel is the midday sun which aligns to both the winter and summer sunlight creating a prolific coastal park for the city.
Summer Sunlight - 9am
2
Summer Sunlight Midday
3
Summer Sunlight 5pm
The Coast During the Summer Daylight
118
Diagrams of 3 stages of lighting during the summer season
1
Summer Sun
2
Winter Sun
3
Balanced Day
Diagrams of 3 stages of lighting during the yearly seasons.
119
The Summer Coast. Model
120
Detail model of summer coast
121
Commercial Building Facade Light Residential Building Facade Light
Seasonal Market Lights
Low Intensity Street Lighting
Soft Glow Street Strip Lights
Collage Perspective of Street Lighting Strategy.
All lights are designed to maximize the potential of each space in the extreme conditions of 23h of darkness and light. The lights succeed at creating comfortable, habitable and safe environments which encourage walking, cycling, playing and socialising.
122
The Tree Buffer provides shading from the daylight in Summer Months. Summer Coast and Winter Park Lights Seasonal Tree Lighting Water Features Lighting.
Sidewalk Lighting. Tree Uplighting.
Plants and Flowerbeds lighting.
Collage Perspective of Park Lighting Strategy.
123
The lighting strategy of the streets takes into consideration the climate, location and programme of its site. Permanent lighting features include: light posts, pavement markers, cycle lane guides and landscape lights provide the day to day illumination of the city. Proposed street lights are embedded with sensors and timers to measure the intensity of daylight and adjust accordingly to provide a stability to the daylight hours. They also respond to match the nature and colour of the natural light, vary from a white glow, like 7000K, to a warmer one, like 270K. Pavement markers, cycle lane guides and landscape lights use timers to automatically turn off when not in use in order to save electricity. The time set will be long enough for safety and consistency. The temporary lights, such as festival or way-finding installations, will be designed specifically for the occasion and powered via solar panelled, portable energy generators. Over the course of the winter months, the sun rises only 3 degrees above the line of the horizon.
124
Plan of the Street Lighting Strategy.
Light Posts
Pavement markers
Cycle Lane Guides
Tram Stop Lights
Landscape Lights
Way-finding Lights
Details of the Street Lighting Strategy.
125
The Stage.
The stage is a new social and transportation hub that is located near the Harpa (Concert Hall). It doubles up as the tram platform for the Central line and Northern line tram, effectively acting as an interchange for both lines. Inspired by mountains, forests and the typical Icelandic house, the platform canopy mimics the outline of the Icelandic mountains to form a roof mosaic. The material is inspired by the reflection of the sky on the ocean water. The translucency and reflection of the canopy roof will integrate the night sky within the urban environment of the city, reflecting the moon, starts and northern lights in the city squares. The electricity to light up the tram stops and canopies will be produced sustainably, exploiting the ocean winds and waves. The columns holding the roof not only aim at creating a forest of light, but they will also transfer heat produced via geothermal energy. Over the summer months, the tram and public square canopies will also provide a shaded shelter from the continuous 23 hours of daylight.
126
Visual of the Stage canopy
127
Tram Stops.
128
The design of the tram stops follow the same principles as the Stage canopy. They provide the city with a series of hospitable microclimates that are heated using geothermal energy whilst commuters wait. Although the waiting time is estimated anywhere between 5-10 minutes, the heat ensure that the wait is still pleasant during the cold winter months. In addition, the stops and covered walkways around the city will be lit throughout the night and during the winter months to provide areas for social activity, so that the residents of Reykjavik can still enjoy spending time outdoors. Moreover, the flexible nature of these spaces will allow them to occasionally host local food markets or arts and crafts sales, adapting to the seasons and festival.
Tram Stop Collage Perspectives.
129
6.2 Landscape.
Landscape is the second component of the masterplan concept. The purpose is to bring the Icelandic landscape into the city, thus emphasising its identity. Starting with trees, the masterplan makes an attempt to replant the lost trees of Iceland with the summer coast and winter park. The role of both landscapes is twofold: to provide protection from the climatic conditions in Reykjavik; and to provide outdoor social spaces. In the long summer days the trees provide shelter from the constant daylight. However in winter they demonstrate a duality, becoming a source of light. They in turn become the foci for social activity. Hard landscaping and water is used to further propagate the Icelandic identity through the masterplan. The materiality of streets, seating and water features use volcanic rocks as a gesture to celebrate the volcanoes and waterfalls found in Iceland. 130
Photograph of model showing the landscape of the Summer Coast.
131
Trees. number of newly planted tree’s across the three major plantations.
Plan of Tree Plantations
46,750+
480%
2 2.5%
carbon emission reduction.
increase in the number of tree’s in Reykjavik Centre.
1
The masterplan aims to plant a total of 46,750 trees in the 101 zone across the summer coast, winter park and harbour, acting as a means of improving air quality in the city. Reykjavik currently emits around 2.8 CO2 tons per person per year (2013), with a population of around 123,000 that equates to total of 343,000 CO2 tons per year. Trees at their most productive rate can absorb 0.18 tons per year, therefore planting 46,750 in the 101 alone can aborbs 2.5% of the cities emissions. 3
132
By varying the density across these three areas, we can create differing environments to suite the areas purpose and programme. For example, the trees along the summer coast are densly populated to provide protection from the wind; whereas around the harbour it’s scarce to encourage interaction with the water.
Summer Coast
Harbour
Winter Park
Species: Black Spruce, Picea mariana, Black Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera, Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides.
Species: Black Spruce, Picea mariana, Black Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera, Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides.
Species: Black Spruce, Picea mariana, Black Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa, Paper Birch, Betula papyrifera, Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides.
Area: 93,000 sq.m
Area: 127,000 sq.m
Area: 170,000 sq.m
Density: HIGH
Density: LOW
Density: MEDIUM
No. of trees: 17,500
No. of trees: 21, 250
Carbon emission reduction: 3,150 tons per year
No. of trees: 8,000 Carbon emission reduction: 1,440 tons per year
1% of total emission in Reykjavik
0.5% of total emission in Reykjavik
1% of total emission in Reykjavik
Carbon emission reduction: 3,825 tons per year
Photograph of model
133
Flora. Hard Landscape Palette
Hard landscape refers to the city surfaces which constitute an immobile barrier, such as streets, pavements and steps. The way the proposal addresses these surfaces is by integrating them with soft landscapes, constituted by trees, planting and grass. The juxtaposition of the two maximizes the surface area which satisfies the dual function of commuting and lounging. This means that there are no ‘dead’ zones which are left uninhabited outside of traffic or office hours.
Light
Harbour
• • •
Water
•
Trees provide a wind and water barrier from the ocean whilst also providing shading from 23 hours of daylight during summer. Benches, which are lit up and warmed via geothermal energy provide a comfortable environment for socialising. Steps along the waterfront create a link between the ocean and the city. Division between cycling lanes and pedestrian routes creates the potential to integrates street level lights for way-finding and expressing the character of the area.
Landscape
Mixing soft and hard landscapes also aids towards providing shelter from the seasonal changes:
134
Summer coast / Winter park
City Streets
FLORA Acacia Delbata
Bluegrass
Spring
Tall Fescue
Summer
Perennial Ryegrass
Autumn
Winter
Swiss Chard
Flowering Kale
Snapdragon
Plan of Flora Strategy
135
Fauna. Soft Landscape Palette
Water
The soft landscape not only includes trees, planting and grass, but also takes into consideration the quality and diversity of soil types, rocks and water. The types of soil native to Iceland are Andosols, soils derived volcanic ejecta, and Vitrisols, which have distinct layers of volcanic ash. Both soils are fertile and have high water retention, but they lack cohesion. The planting of densely forested areas will help increase the density and cohesion of the soil, gradually increasing the air quality and preventing the stagnation of rainwater. The varied landscapes will also host different birds and insects, minimising the risk of endangered species.
Landscape
Light
Harbour
136
Summer coast / Winter park
City Streets
Plan of Fauna Strategy
137
Recreational Parks.
An example of how steam is use to mimic Icelandic geysers. Light is used to emphasise the vertical projection and the geothermal activity occurring underground. This detail can be found in the winter park.
Isometrics of the Gateway and it’s water landscape.
138
An example of how water is integrated within the landscape. Expansive areas of water and thermal pools allow for people to bathe and create an experience of bathing near natural geysers. The use of water also refers to the many waterfalls in Iceland.
An example of how hard and soft landscaping are integrated to increase the functionality of the public realm.
Detail of how water is integrated with soft landscaping and volcanic rocks.
Isometrics of the Summer Park Landscape.
139
Seating.
The seating strategy for all trams stops and park benches follow a wider strategy to provide comfort in the cold winter months to encourage socialising outdoors despite the weather. The concrete seats, produced with locally sourced aggregates of volcanic rocks, are heated using geothermal water pipes embedded within its structure. To maximise contact with the body, one side is angled, whilst the profile is lit to make it visible at night. Part of the seating strategy collects rainwater from green roofs, and stores it in underground tanks. The water collected is then introduced gradually into the geothermal pipes system to create a self sustaining cycle. Introducing the water feature in the seating design will also reinforce the link between the city and the Icelandic waterfalls.
Detail Study of Seating features.
140
Model of the Summer Park.
141
6.3 Streets.
In our observation of the city, we observed a common problem that effected spaces in the city centre, coast and residential area: large plots of land were given to the provision of cars. This created streets that were barren, devoid of the landscaping and public spaces. In conjunction with our transport strategy, our aim is to create landscaped, active streets that act as public spaces. Our main strategies are: •
to infill vacant land in-between buildings and in the form of cars parks to allow for new built development and public spaces.
•
re-purpose roads as street parks by implementing a better transport infrastructure to reduce the size of the roads.
•
step forward infill buildings to create meandering streets with pockets of activity.
142
City centre Inner city streets become pedestrianised and roads are re-purposed to accommodate trams, landscaped streets and public squares.
Coast Roads are re-purposed to densify areas and the coastal park is formed.
Residential
Existing, underused parks are upgraded with amenities added. Car parks are re-purposed to densify and improve public realm.
143
Residential Street Before
Narrow, grey, bleak, pavements. Lack of landscape and greenery.
Residential Street Before Perspective.
144
Road takes up a large proportion of the street.
Cars parked all the way along the road.
Residential Street After
Generous pavement for walking and cycling, paved in locally sourced basalt.
Landscape, greenery and trees provide Buildings step forward to create a dynamic spaces for socializing, playing and seasonal frontage and maximize light to spaces markets and festivals. below the ground.
Residential Street Proposed Perspective.
145
Existing building
Hard surfaces: lava rocks basalt black granite
Tree lights
Greenhouse type space celebrating the culture of growing local Icelandic produce
Pavement lights
Grass
Flower bed
Lit up seating Axonometric of a typical residential street - Daytime.
146
Lights are controlled by a sensor and a timer: they are turned on or off according to date and time, with thier intensity varying depending on the daylight levels.
The commercial buildings become beacons of light, adding to the identity of Reykjavik.
The pavement lights define the public areas which encourage social exchange.
Axonometric of a typical residential street - Daytime.
147 147
Before
Small amount of trees and soft landscaping.
Presence of cars make street narrow and uninviting.
Shared surface but cars still have priority over the pedestrians.
Proposed
Trees and Vegetation.
Lights and Installations.
Change of function on the ground floor to serve the public.
Streets are re-purposed entirely for pedestrians.
Street Perspectives of Before and Proposed.
148
Before
No engagement with the public realm on the ground floor. Wide, disused road.
Proposed
Trees and vegetation.
Active frontages and activity.
Park Perspectives of Before and Proposed.
149
The Winter Park Before
public buildings carparks
main city double lane road
single lane road
carparks
CC
CC
1.6m 2.7m 2.2m
Current Plan and Section of the Winter Park.
150
4.7m
3m
6.3m
6.3m
2.2m
4.2m
CC
The Winter Park After
cycling path geothermal heating
wind turbines power street lighting
CC
geothermal street heating
retention pool pipework
steam ‘geysers’
CC
CC
2.2m
3m
1.2m
8.7m
1.6m
1.9m
3.8m
1.6m
8.0m
2m
Proposed Plan and Section for the Winter Park.
151
The Summer Coast Before
green hill wind buffer
1 lane road
2 lane road
petrol station
AA
AA
1.8m
Current Plan and Section of the Summer Coast.
152
6.8m
2.2m
9.9m
7.1m
The Summer Coast After
wind turbines power street lighting
geothermal cycling path heating
rainwater drainage
AA
AA
4m
1m
7.5m
1m
3m
1m
3.8m
3.65m
1m 4m
Proposed Plan and Section for the Summer Coast.
153
The Harbour Before
carpark
existing industrial sheds
back lane
driveway / pavement
2 lane road
local food bar
BB
BB
1m
Current Plan and Section of the Harbour.
154
8m
9.8m
4.2m
5.7m
3.1m
The Harbour After
wind turbines power street lighting
geothermal tram stop heating
rainwater drainage
wind turbines powered trams
BB
BB
5m
3m
9.8m
6m
2.7m
0.5m
3m 1.2m
2.7m
Proposed Plan and Section for the Harbour.
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6.4 Social
The masterplan’s social aims are to increase the number of social interactions amongst locals and tourists by providing spaces and events throughout the year. The city will host numerous festivals throughout the year in order to preserve and reinforce the history, culture and traditions of the country. The major festivals will celebrate the seasons and the unique extremes of light and darkness. These will fall on the summer solstice and the winter equinox, whilst others, such as the film festival or concerts will be more flexible in terms of date and location. The images on the right communicate how the yearly routine of a typical Reykjavik resident will change once the masterplan proposal have been implemented. The ‘before’ calendar highlights that the occasions for socialising are few, whilst the ‘after’ calendar is populated by dates to remember and celebrations.
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Social Calander
Social Calendar
Before
After
Winter Solstice Festival
Midnight Sun Festival
Midday Moon Festival
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Festivals.
The purpose of the festivals proposed in the masterplan is to celebrate the newly found identity of Reykjavik, enriching the city with the contributions of foreign cultures, languages, foods, music etc. Above all, it will focus on preserving the history and traditions of Iceland, strengthening the link between the Capital and the island’s unique landscape. The ‘City of Winter Light Festival’ proposed by the masterplan is a celebration of Iceland’s unique lighting conditions and sustainable credentials. Thus festival streets and landscapes are lit up with artist installations similar to those in Berlin with the Festival of Light, and China with the Lantern festival. Talented artists such as Janet Echelman will be invited to showcase their work. The large amount of energy required to host such an event will be supplied by renewable energy generated in the 101. Therefore the festival will become an act to celebrate Iceland’s position as a world leader in renewable energy.
Forest light festival
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Northern lights festival
Urban playground festival
Midnight sun festival
Norse mythology festival
Icelandic history festival
Thermal bathing festival
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Annual Celebrations. Winter Solstice Festival The festival is designed to set an unique scene for the Icelandic winter, which is characterised by 23 hours of darkness. The festival will strengthen the link between the city and its surrounding winter landscape, raising awareness for climate change and the future consequences of glaciers melting. Potential installations will include glowing glaciers structures upon which short films and info-graphics can be projected.
Midday Moon Festival The midday moon festival takes place in between January and February, turning what are usually the gloomiest months of the year into a social occasion to promote mental and physical wellness. This will be achieved by opening the doors of indoor spaces designed to integrate the outdoors, such as greenhouses and botanical gardens, to the general public. The festival will then become an occasion to enrich the knowledge on the growing of local produce, flora and fauna.
Midnight Sun Festival The aim of the celebration is to make the most of the 23 hours of daylight which characterise the summer months in Reykjavik: this means that the commercial activities, in particular bars and restaurants, will have the chance to remain open. The streets will constantly be inhabited by people enjoying the green landscape, playing and socialising. At the same time, the landscape itself will provide a degree of shelter from the light.
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Winter Solstice Festival.
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Midnight Sun Festival
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Midday Moon Festival
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7.0 viability
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7.1 Planning. All of the undertaken actions have the intent of complying with the planning policies on three levels: Local, Municipal and National. The bodies with which the actions have to be consulted with is: The City of Reykjavik, National Planning Agency and Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources.
Scales of New Planning Impact
101 Local Level
Municipal Level
National Level
The City of Reykjavik ReykjavĂkurborg
Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources
National Planning Agency
cooperation
Planning Act (1997) Environmental Impact Assessment Act (EIA) (2000) Strategic Environmental Assessment Act (2006)
ReykjavĂk Municipal Plan 2010-2030 Key Actions
Sustainable city 166
City for people
Green City
Creative City
Protection of Human life and health
Efficient & sustainable Land use
Management of assets and environment
7.2 Funding. 80%
20%
Energy diversification 50%
25%
25%
Government of Iceland
European Union
United States of America
Funding of each element of masterplan proposal
Densification 70%
30%
60%
40%
60%
40%
Transportation
Road re-purposing
City of Reykjavik Public spaces & parks 100%
European Forest Genetic Resources Programme
Public buildings and services 50%
Landsvirkjun - The National Power Company of Iceland
50%
New Jobs 167
7.3 Cost. In order to gain an estimated value to proposed works in the proposal, assumed costs have been calculated using Icelandic construction guidelines, Scandinavian average construction costs & worldwide precedents. These are shown below: Phase 4=£3.49bn
Transport Terminals: 200,000Kr per sqm Phase 1 Density: 170,000Kr per sqm Phase 2 & 3 Density: 240,000Kr per sqm Landscape: 150,000Kr per sqm Energy (one off total costs) 150Mw/h Offshore wind farm: 150bn Kr 30Mw/h Solar (50% efficient): 100bn Kr 10Mw/h Tidal: 100bn Kr Research Centre: 240,000Kr per sqm City Tram (Based on Manchester network): 780bn Kr Walking and cycling improvements: 15,000Kr per sqm Road Re-purposing: 20,000Kr per sqm
Phase 3= £3.66bn
Phase 2= £1.57bn Phase 1= Already funded by Reykjavik Council
Phase 2
Phase 1
Phase 3
2020
2030
Phase 4 2040
2050
Tourist Tax Sprawl Restriction 101 Air bnb Ban Improved Bus Routes
No Car 101
Cycle Routes
Tram Construction 101
Tram Connections to Iceland KEY:
Congestion Charge Phase 1 Density
Phase 2 Density
Phase 3 Density
Winter Park
Coastal Park
City Routes
ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS Offshore Wind
Phasing Schedule.
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Capital Generation Transport Density
Tidal and Solar
Research Centre
Energy
Phase Phase 1
Development Type
Total Area
Cost
Total estimated Cost
Total Cost
m2
(Kr/m2)
(Kr)
(1 million Kr)
Sprawl Restriction Improving Bus Routes
Phase 2
Tram Network to 101 Cycle and walking networks Summer Park
300,000,000,000 40,000
15,000
600
187,000
15,000
28000
Offshore Wind
150,000,000,000 10,000
170,000
170
Station Square and the Stage
60,000
200,000
12,000
Road re-purposing
40,000
20,000
800 466370
Density Strategy 2
500,000
240,000
120000
Coastal Park
250,000
15,000
37500
Coastal Tidal Strategy Solar Tram to Regions City improvements furniture squares, landscape
10,000
100,000,000,000
100000
50,000,000,000
50000
800,000,000,000
800000
15,000
150
TOTAL PHASE COST Phase 4
150000
Density Strategy 1
TOTAL PHASE COST Phase 3
300000
1107650
Phase 3 Density
700,000
240,000
940000
Old Harbour research centre
200,000
240,000
440000
5,000
15,000
0.75
City planting routes Tram to airport
100,000,000,000
TOTAL PHASE COST
100000 1040000.75
Total Cost in 1million KR Total Cost in ÂŁ
2,614,020.75 8,742,680,000
Cost and Viability of Proposed Masterplan.
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7.4 Financial Benefit. Iceland energy potential calculated off European average energy costs based on a 12.5% profit on energy (kWh): Geothermal Wind Energy Solar Energy
Cost £38 £84 £130
Sold £42.75 £94.50 £146.25
Productivity 70% 20% 10% Iceland’s Energy Potential
Cost
On these costs and accommodating for the productivity and efficiency of each fuel it is estimated that 1kWh Iceland can produce to sell will be valued at £93.
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Phase 4
On the assumption that a house in Europe uses 48Kwh per day on average that puts the net energy use of Europe’s homes to: 7.42billion Kwh = a total value of £690bn per year.
Other revenue streams within the masterplan is the potential it can bring to the tourist industry. With the new identity within Reykjavik it is the aim that more money can be spent within the 101. There is also the potential to generate capital from the tourists through a taxation systems as implemented in other European city’s. Per annum Iceland and Reykjavik can produce £3,400,000 from the taxes it can charge from its tourists set at £20 per person.
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2055 2042
2028 Profit
Critical Point
Energy Production
Time Tourist Boom
Assuming that the infrastructure has a pay back period of 25 years, we predict that Reykjavik and Iceland can make an estimated profit of £1.79bn per year serving the European energy market.
Cost
Congestion Charge
The masterplan aims to place Iceland at the centre of the renewable energy market and predicts that the interventions will increase the energy production to 38,000,000Kwh by 2060, creating an excess of 373,760,000 which could be sold to the European market.
2060
Tourist Tax
Many of the countries in Europe rely on imported energy in order to make up the energy deficit. With the emergence of renewable technologies and the reduced reliance of fossil fuels there is a diversification in the market which Iceland can capitalise upon with its abundance of energy sources.
Norway
Number of homes: 2,316,000 Energy requirements: 102,528,000 kWh Per year
Iceland
Number of homes: 130,000 Energy requirements: 6,240,000 kWh Current energy production 6,427,200 Kwh = 103% productive
Denmark
Number of homes: 1,000,000 Energy requirements: 48,000,000kWh Per year
Potential energy production 38,000,000 Kwh = 600% productive
UK
Number of homes: 25,000,000 Energy requirements: 1.2 billion kWh Per year
Germany Belgium
Number of homes: 4,700,000 Energy requirements: 225,600,000 kWh Per year
Number of homes: 80,219,695 Energy requirements: 3.8 billion kWh Per year
France
Number of homes: 25,253,000 Energy requirements: 1.2billion kWh Per year
Spain
Number of homes: 18,720,000 Energy requirements: 898,560,000 kWh Per year
Expansion into the European energy market offers the potential to fill the energy gap left by the reduction of Fossil fuels. By 2060 Iceland will be producing 600% of its annual need of energy which if sold to the European market can create
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7.5 Impact.
The masterplan provided a solution for Reykjavik on a local scale to begin with. Our invention at the heart of city becomes the catalyst for regeneration across the entire city. The principles established in the 101 are then to be implemented in the other municipalities until the city is united as a whole. We believe our intervention has the power to leave an impact on a regional, Icelandic, and global scale. Regional Impact Connect the city centre, the 101, to all the municipalities in Reykjavik. This is done through a better, sustainable transport infrastructure. Icelandic impact Reykjavik as a new energy centre provides additional support to alleviate demand and reliance on geothermal and hydro-power energy. Global Reykjavik becomes an exemplar nation for sustainability and energy. Surplus energy can be exported to nearby countries for economic benefit. Reykjavik becomes the primary attraction for tourist visiting Iceland.
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Regional Impact
Icelandic Impact
Global Impact
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8.0 interventions
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8.1 Individual Projects.
The aims of the masterplan will be integrated in all six individual proposals, maintaining a separate, unique identity amongst the programmes. The individual briefs will reinforce the newly found identity of Reykjavik, embracing on a localised micro scale the theme of light and darkness. The landscape surrounding the chosen sites will also become part of the individual proposals, reflecting the masterplan’s intent of bringing the nature of Iceland into the capital. The projects’ programmes, although focusing on a wide range of subjects, will all take into account the cultural, historical and social values of the people of Reykjavik, improving the relationship that the local residents have with the increasing numbers of tourists and foreigners. Specifically, the programmes will range from the following thematics: • • • • • •
literary research and creative writing refugee crisis response and sensory impairment aid co-living housing and affordable living light therapy rehabilitation and housing ecological and biological research wellness and well-being in thermal bathing Humanitarian response Phototherapy Co-living Biological research Well-being Culture
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Icelandic Literature Centre, a writers’ retreat that celebrates the country’s literary heritage.
Residence in Refuge, a Sign Language school for female refugees and the deaf community.
New 101 Co-living: The vision for 101 Co-living is to create a new identity of living for the local community.
Light Therapy Community: A therapeutic community mitigating the effects of seasonal affective disorder.
Landscape & Well-being Centre: A thermal health and wellness centre looking to re-establish societies connection with the natural landscape.
Tree Research Centre: A centre for the re-introduction of trees to Iceland.
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Team Reykjavik
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City of Light
University of Bath Sustainable cities M.Arch Design Studio 6.1 2018/19
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