Arkitektúr og skipulag - 01.08.1988, Page 89

OG HiPU L AG
Summary
The theme of this issue of „Arkitektúr og skipulag“ (Architecture
& Planning) is Utopias, with the emphasis upon some lcelandic
utopian ideas.
Page 7
The City, Cradle of Life
Póröur Ben Sveinsson, an artist, took a keen
interest in planning questions. The editor has
chosen extracts from Póröur Ben’s writings to
illustrate his views on man’s relationship with
nature. He sees the city as a reflection of life,
which can create a garden of delight.
Page 13
Town Planning in the 1920s — Guð-
jón Samúelsson
Pétur H. Armannsson discusses the lesser-
known side of Guöjón Samúelsson, State Ar-
chitect and designer of many public buildings.
Samúelsson was involved in lceland’s first
town planning projects, and he drew many of
his ideas from German and British „model
towns“, rather than from lceland’s closest
neighbours in Scandinavia. He suggested
plans for Skólavöröuholt in Reykjavík in 1915
and again in 1924, when he conceived the area
as a „citadel of culture" with church, universi-
ty, library, theatre, etc. Other town plans cre-
ated by Samúelsson were for the fishing vil-
lage of Bolungarvík and for the centre of (sa-
fjöröur, both in the West Fjords. None of these
ideas were put into practice in their entirety.
Page 19
Puturistic home designed in 1966
The Appollo (Apollo?) Pythagorion SL2030 is
a home design influenced by the practical as-
pects of space technology. Computerized, with
mechanical wasteprocessing and air condition-
ing, the house is movable (moving house is no
longer necessary). It can either stand alone, or
be a component in a community-complex.
Page 24
Futuristic Ideas in the Early 20th
Century
Einar Benediktsson, one of lceland’s foremost
poets, was also a pioneer in attempting to ex-
ploit geothermal energy, one of lceland’s most
important natural resources. One of the com-
panies he founded with foreign backing, Titan,
aimed to harness 600 to 800 megawatts at six
HEP stations on the Þjórsá river. Benediktsson
was also involved in plans to involve investors
abroad in building a harbour at Skerjafjöröur
near Reykjavík. Icelandic fears of foreign dom-
ination prevented his ideas becoming reality.
Page 30
„Grettisgarðar“
One of the many new planning ideas suggest-
ed for Reykjavík in the 1970s was redevelop-
ment around the major shopping street,
Laugavegur. Allowing for the removal of all ex-
isting buildings, Garöar Halldórsson’s and Ingi-
mundur Sveinsson’s plan provided for a cov-
ered mall with shops, etc with office and resi-
dential accommodation on the upper floors -
offices facing Laugavegur, apartments facing
Grettisgata. No serious attempt was ever made
to put the plan into practice.
Page 34
Viðey Island
Viöey island, a historic place, now uninhabit-
ed, off-shore from Reykjavík, could be devel-
oped into a theme park of lcelandic history.
Among the features which could be recreated
on the island are: the village of Reykjavík as it
was in the early 19th century, a reconstruction
of the medieval Viðey monastery, a farm at the
turn of the century, etc. The Árbær city mu-
seum of old buildings could be moved to the
island. Initially, transport to the island would
be, as at present, by ferry, but a bridge could
follow as a later option.
Page 38
A Roof over „Hallærisplan“ in
Reykjavík
Ten years ago Gestur Ólafsson, working with
Hilmar Pór Björnsson and örn Sigurðsson,
suggested a development plan for Hallæris-
plan, a vacant lot in downtown Reykjavík.
Roofed in, surrounded by new three- to five-
storey buildings, this square would have pro-
vided an comfortable environment with facil-
ities for restaurants, play area, street theatre,
etc.
Page 42
Trausti Valsson and the Highland
Road System
Trausti Valsson has suggested the idea of a
developed system of roads across the central
highlands, in addition to the present Ring
Road. This would also involve the develop-
ment of a service centre in the highlands, and
regional centres. In spite of this development,
it would be practicable to set aside large con-
servation areas, thus preserving the unspoilt
nature of the interior.
Page 45
Land in Danger
Gunnar G. Schram, Professorof Law, discuss-
es the problem of land erosion and protecting
the environment. Iceland does not yet have a
Ministry of the Environment, but a Bill will be ►
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