Project Description:

New Skerjafjörður is a new residential neighborhood on the site of the former Reykjavík Airport, shaped by a vision of walkability, ecological resilience, and diverse housing. The public realm is the backbone of the plan, with streets and open spaces designed to create a safe, green, and socially vibrant environment.

The design guidelines define a clear framework for the neighborhood’s streets, courtyards, and public spaces. Streets are treated as multifunctional landscapes where pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized, and everyday life extends beyond the home. Vegetation plays a central role, supporting biodiversity, managing stormwater, and creating a strong identity rooted in the site’s original coastal and marshland character.

To test and refine the guidelines, a series of typologies were developed and applied across the plan. Each street type responds to orientation, sun conditions, and ecological context:

• Einarsnes forms a bio-corridor linking inland forests to the coast.

• Line creates a continuous strip of active spaces with playgrounds, gyms, and seating.

• Nature integrates stormwater management and biodiversity into the street profile.

• Across emphasizes social activity, with streets as shared “third spaces” for residents.

• Fáfnisnes and Bauganes take advantage of sun conditions to frame green, social pockets and gardens.

• The Park anchors the district with a wetland-inspired landscape of ponds, paths, and community activity zones.

Together, these guidelines establish a resilient and distinctive public realm where ecological performance and everyday life are fully intertwined, setting a new benchmark for green, livable neighborhoods in Reykjavík.