Vogabyggd school and bridge

Competition for a new school and bridge in the new residential area Vogabyggð in Reykjavik

We are proud to have been part of the team behind the proposal for Reykjavik municipality's ambitious architectural competition. The project named "Skip Ketilbjarnar" achieved third place, and was designed to serve the new residential area Vogabyggð in Fleyvang, where up to 1500 new apartments are planned. The proposal included an integrated kindergarten and primary school complex, a leisure centre, a community center and a new two-storey pedestrian and cycle bridge, which together create a dynamic and coherent infrastructure for the area.

The design addresses several of the competition's main goals, including creating excellent architecture and landscape design that both respects and utilizes Fleyvang's unique qualities and spirit. The school complex and associated facilities are designed to promote interaction and integration between buildings, the local environment and the surrounding outdoor areas.

In the design, priority is given to children and young people, with special attention to their different needs and experiences based on age and development. This is reflected in the choice of materials, room distribution and the overall learning environment, which ensures a lively, dynamic and positive environment. At the same time, emphasis has been placed on sustainability and ecological design, which supports the project's long-term viability and minimizes the environmental impact.

An innovative two-story wooden bridge

The primary access to the school is via a pedestrian and bicycle bridge from Vörputorg, which connects to Fleyvang and recreational areas at Elliðaárós. The bridge, designed entirely in wood, has a very long span and represents an innovative solution in bridge construction. It has two levels, with a pedestrian and cycle path on the upper floor and a footpath on the lower level, which connects to the area west of the school. From Vörputorg, stairs and an inclined ramp lead down to the lower floor of the bridge, and there is an elevator between the floors on Brúartorg. The bridge is directly connected to the school's main entrance on the second floor, where there is also bicycle parking. From the bridge there is access to the school yard, play areas and on to Kelduleið. Brúartorg serves as a resting place with a view of the mountains.

Sustainable and future-proof construction in wood

KI Consulting Engineers have drawn up drafts and made calculations on the construction as well as advised on the entire project for both the bridge and the school, which is designed entirely in wood. The school is designed with a tight, modular system, where each module measures 6000 mm in length. This ensures effortless spans and manageable sizes for both deck and roof elements, which are also made of wood. All the components are intended as prefabricated units that can be lifted into place quickly and efficiently.

The project is aimed at an efficient and economical construction process with a special focus on sustainability and maintaining honesty in the expression and properties of the materials. It is also essential that the building's column-beam construction offers an openness that enables a flexibility that can adapt to changing educational trends, teaching methods and varying class sizes both daily and over a longer period of time.