Smiðja is nominated to the Icelandic Design Awards 2024
Smiðja, office building for Alþingi by Studio Granda is nominated as Place of the Year at the Icelandic Design Awards 2024. The award ceremony will take place in Gróska on November 7th.
From the jury:
Smiðja is a five story building on the corner of Tjarnargata and Vonarstræti in Reykjavík, which combines offices and meeting rooms for members of parliament and the staff of Alþingi. Studio Granda Architects designed the building following the results of a design idea competition in 2016.
The shape of the building and the pattern of windows are discreet at first glance. Still, the purposeful stone facade attracts attention with its reference to cultural relics of Kvosin and the country's geological history. The use of exposed concrete and stone, both externally and internally, is characteristic of Studio Granda’s architectural style. This materiality is particularly apparent on the highly trafficked ground floor where guests are received and committee meetings held. Stone is the main element of the exterior, and its central role is also apparent with its use on walls and floors inside the building. All the stone for this project was sourced from surplus material from other construction eliminating the need for new mining.
The main entrance facade includes an art piece by Kristinn E. Hrafnsson, and the reception area ceiling is an installation by Þór Vigfússon. On other floors oak walls and natural-colored offices offer a more subdued atmosphere. The building serves many people and purposes, yet the design is flexible, with movable walls to enable various combinations of meeting rooms.
The architects have focused on Icelandic materials and craftsmanship, and the design is meticulously executed. All furniture was custom designed by the architects with the exception of refurbished Icelandic pieces from Alþingi’s collection, and chairs by Erla Sólveig Óskarsdóttir, manufactured by Á. Guðmundsson.
Smiðja is a top-quality city monument that honors Icelandic creativity and craftsmanship.
About:
Studio Granda was founded by architects Margrét Harðardóttir and Steve Christer in Reykjavík in 1987 following a competition for Reykjavík´s City Hall. The studio's projects have been diverse, from planning and transport infrastructure to industrial design and installations in collaboration with artists. Most of the projects are in the category of public buildings, such as town halls, courthouses, art museums, schools, but residential buildings of all sizes are also part of the project list. Purchasers have either been public or private, and most of the works are in Iceland. This diverse experience has fostered the attitude that each piece is unique.
The Icelandic Design Awards will take place in Gróska on November 7th - save the date! Stay tuned as we will be announcing the nominations in the upcoming days.
The Icelandic Design Award honours the best Icelandic design and architecture. The importance of design in our society, culture and business has been growing steadily, and it is therefore vital to increase the understanding of good design and highlight the value of quality.
The Icelandic Design Award is awarded in three categories: Product // Place // Project. In addition, the Icelandic Design Awards also include Honorary award and Recognition for the best investment in design.
The Icelandic Design Award is established by Iceland Design and Architecture in collaboration with the Iceland University of the Arts, the Museum of Design and Applied Art, Promote Iceland, The Housing and Construction Authorities of Iceland, SI - the Federation of Icelandic Industries, The University of Iceland Science Park and Gróska.
