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Shrinking Spaces, Expanding Horizons: Navigating Tiny Living in an Off-Grid Houseboat
CategoriesArchitecture

Shrinking Spaces, Expanding Horizons: Navigating Tiny Living in an Off-Grid Houseboat

By Zarkon Group,

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

“Water is central to these kinds of desirable ecologies that can reshape cities,” says Ham Dong, co-founder and partner of Crossboundaries. The firm contributes to creating “vital built environments” via architecture, and project blueprints are often defined by location.

In some ways, you could say the opposite is true of the firm’s latest undertaking, Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water. The clue is very much in the name — a modified houseboat offering the freedom of canal, lake and river life with high-end, modern specifications. Less obvious: the vessel runs entirely on solar power, making it a groundbreaking example of alternative fuel for transport, off-grid heating and cooking. 

Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water by Crossboundaries, Germany

Putting things into perspective, around 1% of the UK population has no grid connection and uses bottled gas for power. In the US, around 12 million use propane as a primary energy source. Off-grid fuels are recognized as a substantial challenge to green transition. Solar Houseboat SYC 1415 is a unique example of renewable solutions applied to a situation that presents particular challenges in this area.

Currently floating in Germany, from March to November, the boat is entirely self-reliant. An entire roof of panels and an additional one on either side powers everything needed. That includes traveling up to 50 kilometers per day, at 7 KM/H, around the same speed as a standard canal barge.

Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water by Crossboundaries, Germany

On the inside, climate considerations are more hidden. A biological sewage treatment unit can be converted to drinking water, and a purification system is capable of turning river and lake water into potable. 

With just 15 meters in length and 4 meters in width to realize a bold vision combining transport, architecture and interior design, a series of interlinked but distinct areas guide you through the lower deck from a charming rear ‘terrace.’ These are almost as adaptable as the boat itself. Living areas become personal gyms, with equipment hidden beneath floor tiles that perfectly complement a simple, primary color scheme and functional finish. Beds recede before vanishing, opening more space.

Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water by Crossboundaries, Germany

Extensive research was conducted into material quality, taking into account local and regional landscapes, and seasonal weather on a continent known for real variation in temperatures. Lessons in design have clearly been learned from the development of tiny homes in recent decades, with every inch maximized through innovative solutions.

The result recalls memories of a trip to the iconic Rietveld Schroder House, in Utrecht, Netherlands. The 1920s home is an interiors landmark, carefully conceived in a way that introduced incredible flexibility to each area inside its modest sized building. De Stijl style governed aesthetics, a school defined by bold ‘pure’ colors and right angles.

Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water by Crossboundaries, Germany

Back onboard, another sleeping area appears from within the helmstead — the core technical controls of the craft itself — as if to emphasize the point that this is a deftly engineered home. In doing so, we’re given a truly spectacular view to wake up to. And this could be anywhere, because the project is made for absolute mobility and designed for relocation. Simply cast off and leave when you need a change of scenery.

We can’t remember another live-in vehicle which is so closely aligned in design with more permanent, fixed dwellings. And this hybrid speaks to our emerging needs. Like the ability to move without sacrificing the notion of ‘home’, immerse ourselves in new places but not lose identity. Others are more urgent, for example developing new forms of resilience to a changing world. Or returning to others we had, in the West at least, almost abandoned.

Solar + Design = Tiny Home on the Water by Crossboundaries, Germany

For the boat’s owner, Marianne, travel was the key driver in all this. Having spent her life living in cities, most recently moving from Beijing to Berlin, her dream of navigating Europe by water makes sense. There’s always something beautifully peaceful about being on a boat, whether that’s the lone barge on a quiet canal or sole ship on the ocean. 

In Europe, lack of access to green space is an increasing concern among urban populations, with a recent poll suggesting 1/3 of residents in Britain’s biggest metropolitan areas planned to leave in the future to get closer to the countryside. And yet, if the pandemic taught us the value of nature, it also made a point about the importance of connections and communities. The joy of Solar Houseboat SYC 1415 is the fact we don’t need to commit to either. We can be remote, or find ourselves on the busier channels coursing through our great cities. As such, it speaks to our current age in clear terms — a time when adaptability is becoming currency.  

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

Reference

Modern Minarets: 6 Contemporary Mosques Celebrating Cultural Diversity
CategoriesArchitecture

Modern Minarets: 6 Contemporary Mosques Celebrating Cultural Diversity

By Zarkon Group,

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

“Islam is like a crystal-clear river that takes the color of the riverbed it flows over.”

Through those words, Dr. Umar Faruq Abd’Allah described the religion of Islam and the way it reflects the different cultures and regions it spreads in and flows through. In architectural terms, this analogy extends to mosques and their designs. Over time, mosque designs have been influenced by the diverse cultures, climates, building materials and traditions of the various regions in which mosques were built.

This amalgamation has led to a multitude of designs and typologies for mosques worldwide, evolving alongside cultures, populations and advancements in building technologies. These designs preserve core Muslim values while simultaneously celebrating the diversity of the different cultures and communities. Through this collection, six mosques from around the world are showcased to show how the design of Muslim sacred buildings has evolved and what mosques look like in this time and age.

Al Musalla – The Mosque – Al Hosn Area

By CEBRA and DCT Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Jury Winner, 2020, A+ Awards, Architecture +Ceilings

Photo by Department of Culture and Tourism, DCT Abi Dhabi

Inspired by the geology of the area, this mosque has the design of what could be described as manmade nature, appearing as a group of rocks emerging out of water. To enter the mosque, worshippers traverse a network of pathways that wind around the water, symbolically cleansing them before prayer while also shielding them from the noise and commotion of the nearby streets.

The mosque is located within a historically significant site with a number of landmarks, managing to calmly integrate into the park while also offering a remarkable experience to its users. Inside, the distinctive geometrical shapes of the exterior are reflected on different elements of the design including the ceiling, complemented by lighting design that aimed to represent a desert sky adorned with stars, in a manner that does not only connect the mosque with earth and water, but also with the sky and what’s beyond.

BRICK VEIL

By LUCA POIAN FORMS, Preston, United Kingdom

Produced through an artful stitching between the Islamic traditions and the history of the area, between the universal values and the local culture, this mosque design was conceptualized as a landmark within the existing site, through its scale, meticulous façade design, building materials and relationship with the surrounding.

Inspired by the textile manufacturing history of the region, the pleated brick façade gives the building a strong sculptural appearance, while also referencing the traditional design of Mashrabiyas, which is a traditional element in Islamic architecture used to enhance privacy. Erected at the south western end of the hill, the mosque is reached through a processional ramp that slowly disconnects the arriving worshippers from the city and the gradually welcomes them into the sacred space of the mosque.

Yesilvadi Mosque

By Adnan Kazmaoğlu Mimarlık Araştırma Merkezi, İstanbul, Turkey

Harmoniously nested into the site, the Yesilvadi Mosque is conceptualized as a social space that gathers people and brings them together, through its variety of functions that include the prayer hall, a meeting hall, a library, a courtyard and a square, inspired by the social role mosques and their courtyards have traditionally played in the design of Islamic cities.

The bold geometry of the mosque, where the volume of the dome is also the volume of the building, is inspired by Ottoman mosques which typically have circular forms, while also symbolically using the shape of the circle to represent infinity and unity. The seamless use of white for the building’s exterior was achieved through the use of White Marmara marble, which aimed to represent purity and good virtue, standing in contrast with the green landscaping and the complexity of the surrounding context.

Al-Islah Mosque

By Formwerkz Architects, Punggol, Singapore

Photo by Albert Lim Koon Seng

Situated in a densely populated residential area, this mosque demonstrates a harmonious connection with its surroundings, achieved through a meticulously crafted façade adorned with a range of openings and perforations These features serve to regulate indoor climate and invite worshippers inside, while also reflecting the difference in functions in each building.

Comprising three distinct volumes, the mosque includes facilities such as a seminar building and an administrative center, in addition to the main prayer hall that flows dynamically with its open design and vast area. These architectural elements are thoughtfully designed to mirror the permeability of Islamic principles and aspirations within the context of Singapore today.

Mohammad Rasul- Allah Mosque

By Paya Payrang Architectural Group, Shiraz, Iran

Photo by Ahmad Mirzaee

Photo by Samaneh Motaghipishe

The new volume of this mosque grew in the space between an array of old trees and the existing historic prayer hall at the center of the site, delicately engaging in a conversation between the old and the new, the natural and the built, the communal and the religious, as well as solidity and openness.

A long spine connects the two entrances at the opposite sides, encompassing the traditional “Riwagh” element that is common in the design of mosques in Iran, adorned with two minarets that vertically extend parallel to the huge old trees, and generously welcoming prayers in from the busy main road. Built out of stone, the design of the mosque is simple yet sculptural, standing out within its context and making a statement with its dynamic geometry and copper dome.

Al Rawda Mosque

By Uraiqat Architects, Amman, Jordan


The dynamic design of Al Rawda Mosque in Amman aimed to move beyond the limitations of the traditional mosque designs of the region and envision what a contemporary mosque could look like. Through a process of extensive research, the designing team engaged in an intellectual pursuit that studied and abstracted the different elements of a mosque, before reinterpreting them and combining them in this design.

The ornamented screens on the inside and the outside of the building created a rich interplay of shade and shadow and blurred the boundary between the inside and the outside, while also having environmental benefits that enhanced the indoor climate and user experience.

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

Reference

Building Health: How an Old Jailhouse in Toronto Became the Heart of Patient-Centered Care
CategoriesArchitecture

Building Health: How an Old Jailhouse in Toronto Became the Heart of Patient-Centered Care

By Zarkon Group,

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

In the realm of healthcare, where compassion intersects with cutting-edge medical science, lies a crucial element of healing: the environment itself. The Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands as a testament to the transformative power of architecture in nurturing wellness. Described as a “Village of Care,” this facility transcends being merely a structure of concrete and steel; it is a sanctuary meticulously crafted with the singular aim of nurturing healing and well-being, catering to individuals grappling with complex chronic diseases and disabilities.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the building and chat with a couple of nurses. One of them guided me through the building to the rooftop garden and shared an intriguing observation: patients who frequented the outdoor garden tended to experience faster healing. I found this insight quite fascinating.

The hospital’s design fully embraces the healing potential of nature and the surrounding landscape, with intentional efforts aimed at immersing patients in their surroundings. The hospital is intricately linked to prominent features of some of Toronto’s finest neighborhoods, including the Don River Valley, Riverdale Park, the downtown skyline, and Riverdale itself.

The site where the building stands holds its own narrative waiting to be told, embodying a narrative of transformative rehabilitation that mirrors the very mission of the hospital. Right next to the hospital, and central to the project’s significance is the historic 148-year-old Don Jail, occupying a prominent position on the site. Remarkably, the theme of wellness has been woven into the fabric of this site since its inception. From its inception as a reform prison in 1864, the liberal view of physical and mental wellness embedded in the building’s design led it to be nicknamed “Palace for Prisoners.”

Bridgepoint Active Healthcare by Diamond Schmitt Architects, HDR Architecture, KPMB Architects, Stantec Architecture

The historic Don Jail, adjacent to the new hospital, was restored and repurposed into the hospital’s administrative offices.

While a jail is not a flawless representation of wellness, and this theme may not have endured throughout its entire operational history, it is evident that a lasting theme has persisted over time. Fast forward to the present day, the Don Jail has undergone a remarkable transformation, now serving as the administrative and educational hub of the hospital — a key facility central to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to address patients’ physical and emotional needs.

The design and layout of the hospital was driven by the aspiration to establish a unique community hub — a hospital that not only prioritizes healthcare and wellness but also fosters a deep sense of connection to the community. This vision aimed to create an urban center that served as a beacon for health and well-being. It was intended to evoke a strong sense of belonging for both the patients and the surrounding neighborhood. While hospitals often carry weighty connotations, Hennick Bridgepoint was purposefully designed to embody an open, airy and, above all, welcoming community village for its patients.

Upon entering, the space greets visitors with an abundance of natural light streaming through expansive windows and glass panels, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere — feelings often associated with health and vitality. The light and bright atmosphere undoubtedly establishes a strong connection to the outdoors. Coupled with the incorporation of warm hues and natural materials, the space evokes feelings of comfort and tranquility.

As I toured the building, I learned additional finer details that underscored the thoroughness of the building’s design and attention to detail. I discovered that ensuring indoor air quality was a top priority throughout the design process, with the architects making extensive efforts to maximize it. This included implementing measures such as controlling scents within the building, utilizing low-to-no VOCs in adhesives, sealants, paints, and coatings, and enforcing a strict no-smoking policy in the vicinity of the building.

Furthermore, the hospital’s layout has been fine-tuned to encourage physical activity and mobility. Wide hallways and spacious areas encourage patients to navigate freely, thereby supporting their rehabilitation journey. The incorporation of accessible design features guarantees that individuals of varying abilities can effortlessly navigate the building, promoting a feeling of independence and empowerment. Moreover, every detail of the architectural design, ranging from the placement of amenities to the selection of materials, has been intentionally chosen to enhance the patient’s experience.

But perhaps the most profound impact of the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital, lies in its ability to instill hope in its patients. The very sight of the building serves as a beacon of optimism, a symbol of possibility in the face of adversity. By creating a space that is conducive to healing, the architects behind Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital have given patients more than just a place to receive medical treatment, but a sanctuary that truly supports their journey towards wellness.

At its core, this building is a refuge of healing, exemplifying a commitment to patient-centered care that has been designed to address the holistic needs of its residents — both physical and emotional. Its environment is designed to inspire patients to leave their rooms, instilling motivation to confront their illnesses directly. The building has been thoughtfully crafted to facilitate patients’ access to nature, offering design elements like outdoor terraces, rooftop gardens and adjacency to a sprawling public park, all aimed at reconnecting them with the natural world.

Each individual room design includes 40% glazing, featuring a distinctive vertical window that subtly projects from the building’s exterior, spanning floor to ceiling in every treatment area. From the corridors to the corners, this intentional architectural decision strengthens the connection to nature, granting patients an unobstructed view of the outdoors, even from their beds, giving them direct access to the outside world. A patient can step up and into the window and feel as though they are virtually outdoors. Patient rooms are generously spaced to provide privacy, while communal areas are strategically positioned to promote social interaction and support among patients.

Bridgepoint Active Healthcare by Diamond Schmitt Architects, HDR Architecture, KPMB Architects, Stantec Architecture

The building’s design demonstrates a profound comprehension of the hurdles individuals encounter on their journey toward healing, encompassing everything from navigating intricate medical procedures to coping with chronic illness. This is where the healing garden and rooftop terrace truly demonstrate their power. As highlighted in this article, abundant research has showcased the therapeutic benefits of exposure to nature, ranging from stress and anxiety reduction to expediting healing processes. Indeed, each element spotlighted in that article represents design features that have been integrated into the hospital’s layout in their own unique manner, striving to harness the healing potential that architecture holds for its occupants.

In my opinion, the rooftop terrace at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital stands as the apex of the building, harmonizing many of the aspects of healing and wellness into one space — a meticulously landscaped green roof covering 50% of the rooftop’s surface area. With lush gardens and pathways, patients have daily access to the outdoors, fostering a semblance of normalcy in their lives. The direct access to nature creates a highly therapeutic environment for both patients and staff alike, enabling them to engage not only in physical activity but in daily social interaction.

Rooftop Garden and Terrace at the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital

Rooftop Garden and Terrace at the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital with views over the city of Toronto, Canada

While many gardens rely on chemicals and fertilizers, the building employs native and highly resilient plants that require minimal maintenance, thus eliminating the necessity for additional chemicals. Having the opportunity to spend time outdoors in a nurturing garden environment, akin to one’s own backyard, can offer patients a comforting sense of familiarity and routine during their hospitalization. In fact, in 2013, Bridgepoint succeeded in reducing the average stay for rehabilitation patients by 20%, with a remarkable 100% of patients expressing their willingness to recommend the hospital to their friends and family.

This hospital is a shining example of the transformative power of architecture in healthcare. Through thoughtful design and careful consideration of the needs of its inhabitants, it has redefined the concept of what a hospital and healing space can be. From fostering a sense of calmness and serenity to promoting physical activity and social interaction, every aspect of the building has been optimized to nurture wellness. As we continue to explore the connection between architecture and health, the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the profound impact that the built environment can have on the lives of those who inhabit it.

The judging process for Architizer’s 12th Annual A+Awards is now away. Subscribe to our Awards Newsletter to receive updates about Public Voting, and stay tuned for winners announcements later this spring.   

Reference

© Studio Granda
CategoriesArchitecture

10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland

By Zarkon Group,

These annual rankings were last updated on March 29th, 2024. Want to see your firm on next year’s list? Continue reading for more on how you can improve your studio’s ranking.

Land of breathtaking terrains and jarring winds, Iceland is known for its magical landscapes filled with lava fields, fjords, and verdant hills. Located south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland’s rugged landscape is firmly tied to its built environment, which is fused with a deeply functional architectural language. One of the nation’s earlier building traditions is the turf home. Covered with an exterior turf shell, they simultaneously insulate the home and camouflage into the environment.

The nation’s architecture is equally attributed to its Scandinavian neighbors. In the 18th century, Danish architects introduced gable-fronted structures and stone construction to Iceland, which led to a boom in masonry craft and stone creations. Other foreign influences, such as Classical ideas and Swiss designs, were also imported. Notwithstanding, Icelandic design remained practical. In the 30s, functionalism found its way north and found fertile soil in Iceland.

Following Iceland’s independence from Denmark, modernism began to inform the nation’s architecture. Today’s Icelandic designers admirably balance past and present. Fusing past traditions with modern innovations, contemporary Icelandic architecture remains beautiful, functional and deeply connected to its unrestrained climatic conditions.

With so many architecture firms to choose from, it’s challenging for clients to identify the industry leaders that will be an ideal fit for their project needs. Fortunately, Architizer is able to provide guidance on the top design firms in Iceland based on more than a decade of data and industry knowledge.

How are these architecture firms ranked?

The following ranking has been created according to key statistics that demonstrate each firm’s level of architectural excellence. The following metrics have been accumulated to establish each architecture firm’s ranking, in order of priority:

  • The number of A+Awards won (2013 to 2024)
  • The number of A+Awards finalists (2013 to 2024)
  • The number of projects selected as “Project of the Day” (2009 to 2024)
  • The number of projects selected as “Featured Project” (2009 to 2024)
  • The number of projects uploaded to Architizer (2009 to 2024)

Each of these metrics is explained in more detail at the foot of this article. This ranking list will be updated annually, taking into account new achievements of Iceland architecture firms throughout the year.

Without further ado, here are the 10 best architecture firms in Iceland:

10. Studio Granda

© Studio Granda

© Studio Granda

Studio Granda was established in Reykjavík by Margret Harðardóttir & Steve Christer in 1987. The practice is based in Reykjavik and works on wide range of commercial and private projects.

Some of Studio Granda’s most prominent projects include:

  • B14, Iceland
  • H71a, Hverfisgata, Reykjavík, Iceland

The following statistics helped Studio Granda achieve 10th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 2

9. Teiknistofan Tröð

© Teiknistofan Tröð

© Teiknistofan Tröð

Beauty | Permanence | Utility are the main values of the company, which operates in the spirit of sustainable development.
Each project is one of a kind where local conditions and activities play a key role in the design process. Emphasis is placed on the architecture and technical aspects, utility and efficiency in implementation and operation.
Teiknistofan Tröð provides services and consultation on architecture and planning to public authorities, businesses and individuals.

Some of Teiknistofan Tröð’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Teiknistofan Tröð achieve 9th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 3

8. Yrki architects

© Yrki architects

© Yrki architects

Yrki was founded in 1997 by Ásdís Helga Ágústsdóttir and Sólveig Berg after they had won the 1st prize in an invited competition for Nesstofa, a museum of medical heritage in Seltjarnarnes. Today, a cohesive team of talented designers in the fields of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture works at Yrki architects. We put our emphasis on meeting our clients’ requests in a professional and viable manner.

Yrki architects offer a wide range of services in the fields of architecture, urban planning and landscape architecture. Our wide expertise of architecture and design reflects in a holistic approach to all our projects where the environment, context and scale shape the design. The name Yrki has a specific meaning in Icelandic.

Some of Yrki architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Yrki architects achieve 8th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

A+Awards Finalist 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 1

7. BASALT Architects

© Guðmundur Benediktsson

© Guðmundur Benediktsson

Basalt Architects is an architectural office established in 2009 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Led by partners Sigríður Sigþórsdóttir, Hrólfur Karl Cela and Marcos Zotes, Basalt’s dynamic team of architects and designers bring together a rich and extensive architectural design and construction experience in Iceland and abroad. Committed to architecture in concept, design and execution, Basalt provides high quality work and services on projects of different content, expression and scale.

Basalt Architects cover a broad spectrum of architectural design services including wellness, office, commercial, residential, leisure, heritage, retail, cultural, exhibition and urban design projects. Extracting what is unique in each project from an environmental, geographic, cultural and historic context is at the core of Basalt´s design approach.

Some of BASALT Architects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped BASALT Architects achieve 7th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

A+Awards Winner 1
Total Projects 3

6. Batteriid Archtects

© Henning Larsen, Batteriid Archtects

© Henning Larsen, Batteriid Archtects

Batteríið Architects Ltd. is a consulting architectural firm, founded in 1988, with a broad range of experience in building design and planning. The company benefits from highly trained and well educated employees that emphasize innovative ideas and creative design solutions.
The company’s expertise is a comprehensive knowledge of adjusting buildings to local environment and climate, Universal Design as well Occupational Safety & Health.

Some of Batteriid Archtects’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Batteriid Archtects achieve 6th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 1
Total Projects 1

5. Okkarheima / ANNA Landscape architect

© ESJA Architecture, Arkibygg arkitektar, Okkarheima / ANNA Landscape architect, exa nordic

© ESJA Architecture, Arkibygg arkitektar, Okkarheima / ANNA Landscape architect, exa nordic

ANNA is an experienced landscape architect with demonstrated competence in project management. Anna has broad design experience from designing urban and rural spaces to master planning of larger areas. Anna has a passion for creating livable outdoor spaces that enhance public life.

Some of Okkarheima / ANNA Landscape architect’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped Okkarheima / ANNA Landscape architect achieve 5th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

A+Awards Winner 1
Featured Projects 2
Total Projects 1

4. arkibúllan arkitektar

© arkibúllan arkitektar

© arkibúllan arkitektar

Arkibüllan, which has recently changed its name to A arkitektar, was founded in 1999 by Hólmfríðar Ósmann Jónsdóttir and Hrefna Bjargar Þorsteinsdóttir. The work of A arkitekta / Arkibüllun is often shaped by nature and the surrounding environment. The work on each project begins with a search for clues in as many places as possible: in the landscape, human life and one’s own mind. The clues then become the power generator that leads the work from the first sketch to the fully formed structure.

Some of arkibúllan arkitektar’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped arkibúllan arkitektar achieve 4th place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 2

3. EON architecture / Architect – Designer

© EON architecture / Architect - Designer

© EON architecture / Architect – Designer

EON architecture is strongly related to the layers of information connected to each project we design and we build. Each project is a manifesto and a tribute to its site, to its role and to its owner/the client. EON emphasizes the important threads between architecture and environmental issues. The goal is to combine contemporary architecture with environmental issues in relation to style and history. Thus being related to the distinctions and the history in general in our projects is of great importance to us. EON architecture represent the creativity and design of fabulous spaces and built structures and intends to contribute high quality architecture worldwide.

Some of EON architecture / Architect – Designer’s most prominent projects include:

  • House of Shapes, Kopavogur, Iceland
  • Mt.Hekla Volcanic Museum, Rangárþing ytra, Iceland
  • East Street – Offices of Parliament, Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Grandagarður 8, downtown Old Harbour, Reykjavik, Iceland
  • The Pool of Vikings, Iceland

The following statistics helped EON architecture / Architect – Designer achieve 3rd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 11

2. PK Arkitektar

© Rafael Pinho

© Rafael Pinho

PK Arkitektar is an Icelandic architecture and design studio. Its founder, architect Palmar Kristmundsson, draws his inspiration from Iceland’s stunning natural landscape and from his encounters with vernacular Japanese architecture. Over the years, they have developed an exceptional team of architects from around the world. PK’s clients and staff are committed to experimentation and the quest for exciting architectural experiences. Each of PK’s projects is designed to inspire a new sense of place through its clarity of design and unexpected details.

Some of PK Arkitektar’s most prominent projects include:

  • Árborg, Selfoss, Iceland
  • Frístundahús, Brekkuskógur, South, Iceland
  • Turninn, Reykjavík, Iceland
  • BHM, Brekkuskógur, South, Iceland
  • B25, Garðabær, Iceland

The following statistics helped PK Arkitektar achieve 2nd place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

A+Awards Winner 1
A+Awards Finalist 2
Featured Projects 3
Total Projects 5

1. ARKÍS Arkitektar

© ARKÍS Arkitektar

© ARKÍS Arkitektar

ARKÍS is an awarded, progressive architecture firm that has been in operation since 1997. ARKÍS’ works and projects span all levels of architecture, planning and design. ARKÍS has extensive experience with projects in planning and architecture, and from the firm’s founding, ARKÍS has executed numerous large and complex projects, both in Iceland and internationally. That experience, in addition to cross-disciplinary specializations, international high level education and experience of the office’s employees make the firm well equipped to address all projects in architecture, planning and design.

Some of ARKÍS Arkitektar’s most prominent projects include:

The following statistics helped ARKÍS Arkitektar achieve 1st place in the 10 Best Architecture Firms in Iceland:

Featured Projects 6
Total Projects 7

Why Should I Trust Architizer’s Ranking?

With more than 30,000 architecture firms and over 130,000 projects within its database, Architizer is proud to host the world’s largest online community of architects and building product manufacturers. Its celebrated A+Awards program is also the largest celebration of architecture and building products, with more than 400 jurors and hundreds of thousands of public votes helping to recognize the world’s best architecture each year.

Architizer also powers firm directories for a number of AIA (American Institute of Architects) Chapters nationwide, including the official directory of architecture firms for AIA New York.

An example of a project page on Architizer with Project Award Badges highlighted

A Guide to Project Awards

The blue “+” badge denotes that a project has won a prestigious A+Award as described above. Hovering over the badge reveals details of the award, including award category, year, and whether the project won the jury or popular choice award.

The orange Project of the Day and yellow Featured Project badges are awarded by Architizer’s Editorial team, and are selected based on a number of factors. The following factors increase a project’s likelihood of being featured or awarded Project of the Day status:

  • Project completed within the last 3 years
  • A well written, concise project description of at least 3 paragraphs
  • Architectural design with a high level of both functional and aesthetic value
  • High quality, in focus photographs
  • At least 8 photographs of both the interior and exterior of the building
  • Inclusion of architectural drawings and renderings
  • Inclusion of construction photographs

There are 7 Projects of the Day each week and a further 31 Featured Projects. Each Project of the Day is published on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Stories, while each Featured Project is published on Facebook. Each Project of the Day also features in Architizer’s Weekly Projects Newsletter and shared with 170,000 subscribers.

 

 

We’re constantly look for the world’s best architects to join our community. If you would like to understand more about this ranking list and learn how your firm can achieve a presence on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at editorial@architizer.com.

Reference