AVS. Arkitektúr verktækni skipulag - 01.04.2002, Page 43

in a strong and convincing manner. The proposal prom-
ises an elegant design from Lækjartorg, apparent in
light, floating roofs over activities on the plaza for a bus
depot, and access to the TRH.
The design concept is based on the city landscape, a
wave broken up into smaller parts. This creates both a
strong visual image for the building and connects it in a
convincing manner to the Kvos area through a wide,
sloping plaza under Geirsgata. This underpass forms a
part of the wave which starts at Hafnarstræti and fin-
ishes over the harbour. The proposal anticipates shops
and services in the underpass, connecting the TRH to
activities in the city centre.
Coffee Bars and Culture On Miðbahki
The TRH buildings are situated around a plaza where
shops, coffee bars and cultural displays are connected
in clear and realistic manner. The buildings open up in
all directions in a natural and conciencious way to the
environment. Part of Reykjavík’s shoreline is of central
importance to the music hall.
The deciding jury gladly received the proposal, which
convincingly answered the hopes and conditions
detailed in the competition brief. The winning proposal
is considered to provide a good framework for the num-
ber of problems that had to be solved in connection
with this large undertaking.
Hext Step - A Local Plan, Private Finan-
cing Initiative (PFI)
lt has already been decided that tenders will be invit-
ed for that part of this project as a whole, which
includes the music hall, conference centre, hotel and
connected buildings, including the final design of the
buildings and the site. It is natural that a local plan will
be worked out, taking into account the winning propos-
al. The main ideas and features of the proposal have to
be respected, such as the music hall forms the central
feature with the central plaza, and the so-called “mar-
ket square” under the plaza forming the main entry to
the TRH.
The city authorities have declared their support for
the winning proposal as a guide to future development.
However, it is necessary to allow potential investors the
opportunity to have a say and influence the final out-
come.
Many of the ideas in the winning proposal have to be
developed and worked out in the draft local plan. This
includes the pedestrian connection to the city centre -
Geirsgata, Tryggvagata, Hafnarstræti, Lækjartorg and
Pósthússtræti - as well as inclusion of plans for the bus
depot. Vehicular access to the area and through traffic
has to be worked out further, and the same applies to
other aspects, such as parking areas.
The sloping plaza from the TRH has recieved criti-
cism, as this plaza is intended to form an underpass
connecting the TRH to the area on the other side of
Geirsgata. This criticism is justified. Numerous exam-
ples exist of similar underpasses which do not work.
The proposal could, however, be developed with a
stronger and more direct connection to Lækjartorg,
Laugavegur and Austurstræti to form a continuous
service- and shopping street from Hlemmur to the TRH.
Instead of creating an underpass, it might be possible
to create a shopping street on two levels. The pedestri-
an connection to Sæbraut is also important.
The northernmost part of the site is intended for har-
bour activities and these buildings are connected to the
TRH. A brief, detaing future activities, has to be worked
out for the local plan to make sure that the needs of
these activities are met, including adequete access to
Sæbraut from the harbour.
It is hoped that possible investors and PFI interests
will take part in finalising development ideas for this
area when these and any other relevant issues have
been addressed. Although it is not necessary to decide
upon and fix every small detail of this development
before potential investors are brought in, it is clear that
the development of this important part of the central
area must serve common city interests.
Conclusion
It is an important undertaking to ensure that the plan-
ning and development in Austurhöfn will lead to the
best possible results. The site is in the centre of Old
Reykjavík, lceland’s capital. The State and the City of
Reykjavík are willing to invest heavily in this area.
Conditions have to be created to make it attractive for
private firms to invest in and operate, and to strength-
en the business and cultural life of the city centre.
The decisions that will be taken following this compe-
tition will have far reaching consequences; if they are
well-grounded, they can be very important for the
development of the central area - if they are not, it can
prove difficult for the city centre to keep its own or pros-
per in the competition for investment and people, which
is becoming more international every day.
The State and the City of Reykjavík have shown con-
siderable forethought in the preparation of planning
decisions for this area and everything possible has
been done to obtain and select the best proposal. A
new phase is about to begin. ■ Sólveig Berg
Björnsdóttir, architect
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