Urridaholt

Project type:	New Settlement
Location:	Reykjavik, Iceland
Client:	Urridaholt EHF
Stage:	Masterplan
Programme:	2007–2014

Gardabaer is a small town located on the outskirts of Reykjavik that was identified for expansion.

The site at Urridaholt is environmentally sensitive; it comprises a hill that has panoramic views of the spectacular surrounding landscape; mountains, volcanoes, a lava field and the sea.

Iceland’s low population has led to cheap land and urban sprawl with large, low-density, residential suburbs creating an over-dependence on the car.

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The emphasis has been to use new ideas and techniques to create an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable development.

Mayor Gunnar Einarsson of Gardabaer

Project Delivery

An innovative, ground-breaking model for creating sustainable neighbourhoods in cold climates.
A consensus-led masterplan developed through a participatory planning process.
Realisation that the standard planning approach led to unsustainable outcomes.
Rejection of sprawl typologies in favour of a compact, mixed-use development.
Urban design solutions based on best practice ideas, including those of the Winter Cities movement, but tailored to the specific location.
Measures to encourage an active outdoor environment, which can be used for longer periods of the year, to sustain people’s sense of well being during the winter months.
The first large-scale sustainable drainage system in Iceland, designed in response to the site’s topography.
1,650 homes, 90,000 sq m of mixed-uses including commercial offices, business park, college, high school, swimming pool, health and social facilities, retail units, church, museum/cultural centre and three kindergartens.

Awards

BREEAM Communities 2012
First International project to achieve final certification under BREEAM Communities 2012
BSA/Build Boston 2007
Citation for Urban Design
International LivCom Award for Built Projects 2007
Silver Award