Reykjavik Housing

The project’s landscape design reflects the push and pull of water, with water pulled into the site and landforms pushing out into the harbor. This is achieved through three key moves: subtracting cuts from the site to channel water inland, constructing man-made landmasses in the harbor—some detached entirely—and introducing pathways that make these forms accessible. These pathways slope below the water before reemerging, allowing visitors to walk beneath the harbor’s surface and engage with it in an entirely new way.

Buildings were introduced to incorporate both residential and commercial spaces. Two housing unit types were designed for efficient repetition across the scheme. The buildings feature translucent concrete exterior walls, allowing abundant natural light to fill the interiors without extensive glazing, preserving a clean, minimal facade. At night, the translucent concrete emits light, giving the buildings a glowing appearance reflected in the surrounding water, creating a striking visual effect.