All posts filed under: Architecture

A feminist architectural education
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by Massimo Santanicchia Programme Director for Architecture at Iceland University of the Arts

For the students of architecture of the Iceland University of the Arts. I am an architect, activist, secular humanist, and educator at the Iceland University of the Arts, besides being an avid traveler and passionate gardener, I am a feminist. Feminism is the theory of political, economic and social gender equality. Feminism is embedded with care for each other and our world: built and unbuilt, earthlings ultimately, we are all connected. My believes and my whole situation informs and influences the type of projects that I pursue as architect, and the way I work with my students. I want to use my knowledge and experience to address global urgencies that we are all facing from climate change to social inequality. I want to inform and expose students to the fact that architectural thinking is social thinking, and I want us together to see and experience the relationship that exists between our space and our society and consequently. Brazilian educational theorist Paulo Freire in his seminal book Pedagogy of the Oppressed stated: ‘those who authentically commit …

When an earthquake in Chile reveals a solution for the housing crisis in Iceland
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Architect Rafael Campos de Pinho

Published by María Kristín Jónsdóttir

In the worst housing crisis of the last 50 years, home ownership in Iceland has decreased by more than 10% in a decade. Just before the 2008 crash over 86% of homes nationwide were owned by their residents. Since 2012 the rate has been floating around 78%. More people are renting even though buying a home is considered a priority. Besides, rent can be more expensive than monthly mortgage repayments. For those who can afford the down payment, buying is an obvious choice. However, in the current scenario saving up for a down payment is not that simple. Property prices escalate faster than purchasing power and banks aren’t lending as easily. 90% mortgage loans haven’t been around for a while, and the vacation rental industry is swallowing every reasonably located studio and one-bedroom flat. Few affordable apartments are being built and buyers have to fight over whatever is available. As a consequence, micro-flat blocks have been popping up as an affordable alternative. Tiny homes are culturally acceptable in dense cities like Hong Kong and Paris. …

Transformations
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Modifications of modernist buildings in Reykjavik

Published by HA magazine

Reykjavik has many examples of architecture from the sixties and seventies, as large parts of the city were built during that period. Now, 40-50 years later, many of these buildings have undergone extensive changes. Architekt Garðar Snæbjörnsson has illustrated a selection of modernist buildings in Reykjavik, showing how they have changed from past to present. (Garðar´s illustrations were shown on Design March 2018)

From overseas — Architect Dagur Eggertsson

Published by HA magazine

HApeers into the live of architect Dagur Eggertsson, at Rintala Eggertsson Architects in Olso, Norway. “I moved to Norway in 1986 to study architecture at the Oslo School of Architecture. I planned to live there for three years, but I’m still here now, 30 years later. In 1995, I moved to Finland to do my master’s. That’s where I met my closest collaborator, Sami Rintala, who sat across from me in class. It’s really quite incredible, as I sat across from Vibeke Jenssen when I was studying in Norway, and she went on to become my wife. I guess people should really think twice before sitting across from me. After completing the two-year master’s program, I returned to Norway to work as an architect with my wife amongst others. Five years later, my friend Sami called me to say that he was moving to Norway. At first, Sami and I would just meet up to play football and solve the problems of the world over beer. Then, we started advising each other on various projects, …

The Physics of Architecture
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Jón Kristinsson, pioneer in sustainable architecture.

Published by HA magazine

One could say that Jón Kristinsson is an interesting combination of an inventor and an architect. He speaks as a physicist and thinks in sustainability. Jón has been based in Deventer, Holland for the majority of his life. He studied architecture at Delft University of Technology where he later became a professor in sustainable technology and design. Jón is known for having designed the most sustainable building in Holland and is well known for his inventions in the field of sustainability. HA magazine is curious why he is known in Holland as the father of sustainable architecture. Text by Sigríður Maack and Arnar Fells Gunnarsson, Photos by Arnar Fells and Kristinsson Architects. Fascinated by Force of Nature During his high school years he was at sea and was granted permission to take his exams alongside work. Early on, he became interested in sustainable development, assuming the seamanship had something to do with it. At sea he became conscious of the environment and forces of nature, whether it was the boat engine, winds or waves. Jón …

Parlamental grounds — A prime ministers dream

Published by HA magazine

Downtown Reykjavik is undergoing considerable development these days, and the planned construction in the area has given rise to some lively architectural debate, a debate due in no small part to the ideas put forth by Iceland’s Prime Minister, Mr. Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, or rather his involvement in Reykjavik city planning affairs. In one of his more unorthodox ploys, Gunnlaugsson has reintroduced a century-old set of blueprints for an expansion to Iceland’s Parliament Building. The idea was first presented on April 1 of 2015, and most suspected it to be an April Fools’ Day gag of some sort, as the Prime Minister has no authority in such affairs. However, Gunnlaugsson has pursued the matter in full earnestness, as evidenced by the Christmas cards his office sent out this last holiday season, which featured imagery of the “new” building in its proposed location, across the street from Reykjavik City Hall. Read on for Birkir Ingibjartsson’s thoughts on the Prime Minister’s nostalgic tendencies, and whether or not the proposed undertaking can be achieved in today’s world. …

Thoughts on nesting
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On World Architecture Day

Published by HA magazine

An eco-friendly ideology and a sustainable society. Both have become prominent concepts in recent years, not least following the financial collapse that so thoroughly affected people’s way of thinking. It was as if the whole world was ready for a reassessment of its situation – up to certain extent. Text by Bjarki Gunnar Halldórsson arkitekt / Photos by Tom Chudleigh Architects both here and abroad have taken the discussion very seriously and agreed upon the criteria that a sustainable structure must meet. It must, among other things, be resilient and flexible, make economic use of space, be conducive to a pleasant atmosphere and good lighting, maximize the economical consumption of resources such as water, and in addition to all this, it must blend in well with its surrounding environment. These are all fine objectives to have in mind and on par with what generally constitutes a good building in the architectural sense. The goal of living together in a sustainable house is certainly an achievable one. Technology has advanced in giant leaps since I began following sustainability in …

Hidden Wood
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Driftwood in design

Published by Arnar Ingi

Driftwood is the subject of an exhibition in Djúpavík at Strandir, one of the most enchanting places in the Westfjords of Iceland. The exhibition, HIDDEN WOOD – Driftwood in design, focuses on the diverse opportunities hidden in Icelandic driftwood, on an island that is largely devoid of wooden areas. Text: Arnar Fells / Photos: Halla E. Hansen & curiators Ever since the first settlers arrived to the shores of Iceland, driftwood has been a valuble commodity, used as building material for ships and houses. The coastline of Strandir has always been bombarded with driftwood so the area must have played an significant role in a country with only small forests. In the middle ages it was common belief that the trees grew at the bottom of the ocean, north of Iceland but now we know that most of the driftwood travels a long way from Siberia before reaching the shores of Iceland. It is no surprise then that the farmers at Strandir are known as people of great craftsmanship, selling carved artefacts and household tools all over Iceland. The exhibition Hidden Wood is meant …

Kristín Guðmundsdóttir
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Ideals in interior design

Published by Arnar Ingi

The name Kristín Guðmundsdóttir has not had a prominent place in Icelandic design history, despite the fact that she was the first Icelander to educate herself abroad in interior design. Author: Halldóra Arnardóttir / Photographer: David Frutos Kristín, who chose to call herself híbýlafræðing [home expert], paved the way for the designers that came after. She pioneered many innovations in interior design, especially with regard to kitchen facilities and the use of color schemes. While it is still possible to find original fixtures designed by Kristín, unfortunately many were torn down. In a new book, Kristín Guðmundsdóttir, híbýlafræðingur/interior designer, which is soon to be published, Kristín finally receives the recognition she deserves as a pioneer in her field. So who was this notable woman? Kristín Guðmundsdóttir (born 1923) was the first Icelander to educate herself in interior design at university level. In June 1943 she stepped aboard the ship Brúarfoss, which made its way across the Atlantic Ocean, docking in New York. Travelling from Iceland to New York took a month, with a stop in …

Can Reykjavík stop the sprawl?
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Reykjavík’s new municipal plan for 2010—2030

Published by Arnar Ingi

Reykjavík has been a desirable address when Icelanders choose where to make their homes, but the capital region’s influx of residents is now predicted to slow. Statistics Iceland projects that by 2030 the capital region’s population will increase by 25,000 people. Author: Sigríður Maack That’s an annual increase of 0.9% compared to 1.6% per year over the last 20 years. The coming decades are expected to bring a considerable slowdown to the city’s growth, which is one of the reasons for an emphasis on building densification in Reykjavík’s new municipal plan for 2010–2030. The new plan is available as a elegantly designed print edition from Crymogea publishers, full of diagrams and clearly presented texts. Atli Hilmarsson’s studio handled the book’s layout and design. It took several years to gather all the information that went into the plan, as well as the expert work of many specialists in their fields. The municipal plan is also available for download at the city’s website and issuu.com. In this article we’ll look at a few key elements. Definitive guidelines …