The City of Reykjavik has granted approval for our preliminary design concepts to upgrade and pedestrianise Austurstraeti, describing the plan as "a very good step in favour of a greener and more walkable Reykjavík". Together with local architects Sp(r)int Studio, the re-design of one of the city centre’s most significant civic axes focus on simplifying and greening the new pedestrian route and providing spaces for outdoor dining, public seating, urban water management, temporary use and events as well as opportunities for play and feature lighting.

The street is de-cluttered to allow easy pedestrian and cycle flows while vegetation, seating and gathering opportunities are collected within a single, distinctive zone stretching from west to Laekjartorg, in the east. Careful attention was paid to choosing a palette of high quality natural materials and a rich, naturalistic planting design where groups of trees and a characteristic understory reminiscent of an Icelandic forest floor, accompany the user as they journey along this historic urban artery. We look forward to the next steps for Austurstraeti, the adjacent Laekjartorg Square (approved in 2022) and Bankastraeti