Reykjavíkurborg

Borgartún [B1] is the first completed building in the mixed-used master plan of Höfðatorg, designed by PK Arkitektar. The programme called for a compact office building with flexibility and general floor layouts suitable for non-specific tenants. The ground floor of the building rests on top of two levels of underground parking and is reserved for commercial use. The northern and southern facades have different fenestration solutions, so that the grey granite-clad building appears to be closed to the south while opening up to the north. An austere combination of materials - exposed concrete, raw steel and grey sandblasted granite - dominate the internal service spaces. 

Upon the building's completion, the previously scattered technical departments of the city of Reykjavik moved their new premises to all seven the building's floors, and invited PK Arkitektar to design their interiors. A simple palette was used in the reception area, and the publicly accessible spaces on the ground floor were given a warm and welcoming touch through the use of perforated maple acoustic panelling on watts and ceilings, and unvarnished hickory parquet in the staff areas. To generate greater interaction between departments, a dynamic space was chosen instead of closed offices. On each floor, the departments share several meeting rooms and small cafeteria spaces. The seventh floor has a semi-public character with a canteen, library and meeting rooms - all with access to a west-facing roof terrace overlooking the city skyline and the Reykjavik harbour