Lækjartorg

Reykjavik’s urban backdrop is a complex collage of old and new built fabric, intimate and monumental spaces, fleeting and enduring interactions as well as a forward looking population. Competition site for Lækjartorg square and its adjoining streets is positioned at the heart of these dualities in the downtown of the city. Our proposal creates a highly recognizable urban destination, true to its heritage yet bold and forward looking. 

The site and its context is highly symbolical and culturally relevant but also challenging in terms of harsh climate conditions such as considerate wind exposure and high precipitation. With a simple topographical gesture of cutting and lifting the terrain along the square, a complex space is created, articulating a rich gradient of subspaces, uses and programs interwoven into the dynamic city square. Topographical formations become anchoring points for a multifunctional and playful urban furniture, defining a sequence of distinctive subspaces. These are inspired by Icelandic nature formations among which are thermal pools, a unique place of gathering surrounded by a rough Icelandic nature.

‚The hotspring‘ as the center of the square is an urban interpretation of a such formation, designed to bring people together in a safe, sheltered and climately comfortable space. ‚The hotspring‘ is a cut in the terrain, defined by the long wooden bench with a high protective backrest and the halo hoovering above. The Halo is the carrier of an interactive lighting and a performative curtain, which can be closed to provide a shelter or be used for performances and exhibitions. The hotspring is a strong spatial unit, guiding the use of the square. Various markets can take place around its edges, using the halo as a supporting structure. Lækjartorg is a space of flows and will become one of bussiest stations of the upcoming City line-Reykjavik‘s rapid transit system. Lanes of the City Line are designed to seemingly become part of the square, using same pavement material. Our design proposal facilitates attractive waiting spaces formed by the edges of the playful terrain, which in parallel provide a buffer between the center of the square and traffic lanes.

The square is highly contextual, making visual connections via its topographical interventions towards capital‘s important spaces and buildings such as the Cabinet and Arnarholl park. The square generously opens to the main Reykjavik‘s pedestrian vein, Bankastraeti and Austurstraeti. Both streets are designed as one continous carpet with a sequence of flexible zones on sunny side of the street where greenery, restaurant terraces and resting spots are concentrated.