Old Harbour Urban Plan Competition, Picture, Project, Reykjavik Design, Image

Old Harbour Masterplan Iceland : Reykjavik Design Contest

Iceland Building by Graeme Massie Architects

Old Harbour Site Reykjavik 17 Dec 2009 Graeme Massie Architects win a third competition in Iceland Location: Reykjavik Organiser: Associated Icelandic Ports Graeme Massie Architects are confirmed as winners of the open competition to masterplan the Old Harbour of Reykjavik and Orfirisey, in Iceland. On Friday 11th December, at a reception at the Maritime Museum in Reykjavik, Graeme Massie Architects were confirmed as winners of the open competition to masterplan the redevelopment of the Old Harbour of Reykjavik and Orfirisey. Reykjavik’s old harbour, and neighbouring Orfirisey, covers an area of approximately 80 hectares within the city’s urban core and is currently home to a range of industrial, commercial, tourist and cultural activities, including a major new concert hall by Henning Larson Architects which is currently under construction. The master plan competition was organised by the primary land owner, Associated Icelandic Ports, to provide a strategic vision for the future development of the harbour area within the context of Reykjavik’s city centre. The competition win is accompanied by a cash prize of 7,500,000 Icelandic Krona (approximately £37,000). The juxtaposition between urban environment and unmediated natural landscape, rare in the context of a capital city, is integral to Reykjavik’s character. Through planned and unexpected views, the landscape continually exerts its presence. Graeme Massie Architects winning scheme proposes a simple strategy which develops a new identity for the harbour area through reference to the archipelago located just offshore from the city as well as the broader landscape setting. A flexible arrangement of development islands is proposed, each of which assumes a unique identity defined by location, function, typological form and character. The proposals meet the challenges facing the harbour area and the strategic vision of Associated Icelandic Ports by accepting a disparate range of existing commercial and industrial activities while facilitating the introduction of new mixed-use, residential and office districts that integrate Reykjavik’s existing urban core with the harbour waterfront. The development structure is responsive and flexible; supporting incremental development over time as well as future expansion and adaption in response to evolving economic circumstances. It is the practice’s third major competition win in Iceland, following previous winning schemes for an Urban Plan for Vatnsmyri, Reykjavik (2008) and the masterplan for the town centre of Akureyri (2005). Old Harbour Masterplan images / information from Graeme Massie Architects Graeme Massie Architects

Icelandic Projects by Graeme Massie Architects

Vision Akureyri International Design Competition, 1st Prize

image from architect
Icelandic building competition

Vatnsmýri Urban Plan

image from architect
Iceland Urban Plan

Graeme Massie Architects - Competitions

Bonn Square, Oxford - winner

photo : David Stewart

Atlantic College, Wales - shortlisted

Iceland Buildings - Selection

The Icelandic National Concert & Conference Centre, Reykjavik
Henning Larsen Architects

image from architect
Icelandic Concert & Conference Centre

Comments / photos for the Old Harbour Urban Plan Iceland page welcome:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Old Harbour Urban Plan - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt