Fólk Höfn The People’s Harbor BACKGROUND
A main part of the downtown harbor area in Reykjavik, Iceland is under construction while the new Concert and Congress Hall is being built. The port authority insists that further development in the area supports the goal of remaining a “living” harbor while attracting tourism and promoting activity.
Iceland
Currently, a major highway is acting as a boundary between the buildings and the harbor causing a disconnect between the surrounding residential and commercial areas, and facilitating a lack of use. The harbor is used mostly as a parking lot. One old abandon warehouse sits on the west side of the site, and Arnarhöl, a large historic hill, where the statue of Ingolfur Arnarson, the first Icelandic settler, resides to the south of the site. Reykjavik
RESIDENTIAL
RESIDENTIAL COMMERICIAL
CONCEPT
Re-introduce the grid to build on the existing infrastructure of the city scape, and reframe the urban fabric of the harbor.
PROGRAM
The site is configured in a grid pattern to ease the access and increase connectivity from the surrounding residential, tourist, and harbor districts. Blocks are composed with “L,” “I,” and “U” patterns to maximize density and to support public-private spaces. While the grid provides smaller manageable environments, a network of pedestrian thorough-fares also provides connectivity and increases options for traveling route. Additionally, the Haborwalk acts as an area to promote pedestrian interaction, accessability, and recreation. Reykjavik, ICELAND |
Proposed Harbor Development Plan
Site Plan
HARBOR WALK Pedestrian & Bike Paths Open Lawn & Event Space
PROPOSED ART SCHOOL
RG RA MÝ A AT
LAND BRIDGE
GE
IRS
LÆ
KJ
AR
GA TA
HO
FN
AR
ST
RÆ
VA GA TA
TI
TR YG G
ST HU SS TR
ÆT
I
GA TA
HOUSING Mixed Income Student Housing Mixed-Use Corner Stores
PO
EXISTING PARKING / RETAIL 4-Level Parking Road Thoroughfare Mixed-Use Retail
GR ÓF IN
PUBLIC-PRIVATE RECREATION AREAS
NA US TI N
ROUND-A-BOUT
EXISTING CONCERT / CONGRESS HALL
Reykjavik, ICELAND |
Proposed Harbor Development Plan
Figure Ground
Circulation
Auto
Before
After
Street Plan
Bike
Before
After
Pedestrian PEDESTRIAN-FOCUSED ENVIRONMENT Committing this area to a pedestrian focused ideology means that it is important to stress the walkabilty and safe environments. Utilizing the the grid provides the opportunity to incorporate multimodal flow from pedestrian, bike, and automobile traffic that is easy and logical for a wide range of users. Users benefit from the variety of travel options and can choose safe routes. The first row of new blocks along the habor are primarily built to promote commercial/retail activity along with some mixed-use housing. The second row, offers more affordable and student housing options. Finally, the third row of new development acts as residential infill and commercial infill along the main road.
Reykjavik, ICELAND |
Proposed Harbor Development Plan
Phasing
Zero • Exisiting condition • Dominated by major highway which separates buildings from the harbor
One (1-4yrs) • Fill in harbor • Create infrastructure by employing the grid
Two (1-4yrs) • Commercial and mixed-use area fronting harbor and main road into the heart of downtown • Develop recreational harborwalk
Three (2yrs) Four (2yrs) • Complete commercial development along • Complete development first row of new blocks • Build one new academic building • Provide new housing options • Build one new academic building
Land Use Diagram
Commerical
Residential
Reykjavik, ICELAND |
Mixed-use Residential
Academic
Proposed Harbor Development Plan
Parking
Green
View from the bridge facing Northwest