Connect Fast + Live Slow
This entry was recognized by the jury
In this proposal a clear and firm boundary is defined between the landscape areas and urban areas. Density is achieved through interesting and diverse building typologies, concentrated around the Borgarlína stations. The green landscape areas are substantial in size, raising questions about the utilisation of the land. Borgarlína is routed convincingly through the urban areas in a well worked out solution. The parking typologies are varied and integrated thoughtfully, matching a multimodal network. Street connections with adjacent neighbourhoods are proposed. Integration of green spaces and sustainable drainage is well thought out.
Overall, the approach is somewhat conventional and suburban in nature, with an insufficient placemaking strategy. Even with a multimodal network provided, the cars are given some priority.
The communication of the proposal is generally good and interesting to see seasonal variations in the visualisations.
Urban Life Meets Keldur Park
This entry was recognized by the jury
The entry provides interesting ideas and clear graphics about urban form and parking arrangements with intense integration of nature into the urban spaces.
The principal characteristic of this proposal is the concentration of density in the east section of Keldur, with two Borgarlína stations on that side and only one in the west section. This leaves questions about the utilisation of the land unanswered, such as why the value of some of the most lucrative parts of the site is not realised and simply left for future development.
The proposal succeeds in weaving the multiple objectives together while many aspects, such as social mixing, public spaces and sense of place are treated sensibly but with a lack of site specificity. The phasing scheme assumes that built areas are surrounded by construction sites.
The Green River
This entry takes a very different approach that is excellently communicated. The draft presented in stage 1 was intriguing for further exploration with a vision stated through 13 dogmas that are largely aligned with the objectives stated in the competition brief. The emphasis is on the green aspect, leaving large parts of the site undeveloped. This leaves questions about the realisation of the value of the land.
Social mixing and mixed uses are reasonably well treated but the urban pattern is not consistent with the Borgarlína route and the opportunities that the station areas could offer in a transit oriented development. Car traffic is mixed with the Borgarlína and overall the traffic scheme is somewhat suburban in nature.
The description of the urban blocks gives good consideration to water management and green areas but a hierarchy of public spaces is missing, that could provide centrality in strategic locations. Phasing is well communicated and thought through.
While the visualisations are well crafted, they could have focused on informing about the integration of key concepts rather than putting specific details in the foreground.
he proposal is consistent in applying the vision presented in the 13 dogmas but not always convincingly achieving the intended results.
Keldur – weaving natural and urban fabrics
The proposal provides ambitious density while effectively communicating the green fabric. The mixed uses and location of services is well thought out and pragmatic. The topography is used to create five character areas within the site.
The building typologies suggested are diverse but leave questions about the quality and attractiveness of the public realm that they enclose.
The Borgarlína route meets the technical requirements well, avoiding the steepest slopes. This, however, takes the route towards Vesturlandsvegur where the Kálfamói station is quite peripheral, even if the green lid over to Grafarholt could be realised, which is uncertain.
Substantial changes in the existing street network are proposed with unclear benefit.
Many of the illustrations have limited appeal and information content.
