Akureyri Town Hall  

The existing building is one of the last remnants of the 'Geislagata' plan sitting awkwardly in an informal car park with a few significant trees. The proposal seeks to reengage the building with the surrounding town fabric by means of two, new, parallel, single-storey wings. A consequence of this arrangement is a sun-filled court on the south side that is shared by the café, public meeting room and entrance hall. Large moving walls allow these spaces to be used independantly or swiftly openened into one another.

The new building has a delicate steel frame clad in high performance clear and prismatic glass. A grass bank shelters the east façade from the main road and wild flora roofs present a new landscape for the the upper floors. The top floor of the existing building is remodeled in the same manner as the extension ceating a luminecent lantern. Fire security and internal movement is enhanced by the addition of new stair located above the existing basement stair. It duplicates as a service riser for the new building service system in the basement. The staff entrance is though a new garden court from the north or those who choose to cycle can wheel down a ramp to the basement bicycle store and showers.

Car parking is rationalised and shaded with new trees to reduce windspeed and help shelter the glass façades from solar gain. The northern part of the site is open for further development in accordance with the current municipal densification strategy. This development could fund the extension.

Economic, with minimal material usage and maximum flexibility this proposal fulfills the most stringent environmental criteria both in construction and use while giving the municipal offices a new and welcoming face.

Client : Akureyri Municipality
Architects : Studio Granda