Author: María Kristín Jónsdóttir

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

Published by María Kristín Jónsdóttir

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
–
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. …