Design competition for the future downtown library
Reykjavík City is holding a design competition for the redesign of Grófarhús in collaboration with the Architects Association of Iceland. The competition is a design and implementation contest with pre-qualification.
Grófarhús
A vibrant community space and engagement center for Reykjavík residents.
The Department of Environment & Planning is seeking applications from architects/design teams to participate in the pre-qualification phase.
The pre-qualification committee will review all submitted applications and select five teams to compete for the renovation and improvement of Grófarhús on Tryggvagata, which will house the future city center library.
Application deadlines and key dates
Stage 1
Prequalification: Submit application with requested documents for stage 1.
Stage 2
Five teams will advance and, upon meeting phase 2 requirements, be invited to participate in the competition.
Stage 3
The winning proposal will be selected and, upon meeting phase 3 requirements, contract negotiations will begin.
Timeline for the design competition
- January 7, 2022: Pre-qualification and competition announced
- January 21: Deadline for bidder inquiries by noon
- February 1: Deadline for purchaser responses
- February 10: Application submission deadline by noon
- March 4: Pre-qualification results
- March 11: Contracts finalized and competition documents issued to participants
- April 13: Deadline for bidder inquiries by noon
- April 27: Deadline for purchaser responses
- May 18: Participants submit proposals by noon
- June 15: Selection committee's decision announced
Objectives and committees
An open space for all – A democratic venue guided by sustainability and innovation
- The new Reykjavík City Library main branch will be a dynamic cultural and community center, a democratic space guided by sustainability and innovation for Reykjavík residents. It will be a truly open space for everyone, reflecting the transformed role of libraries in modern society.
- The library will be redesigned to meet the future needs of Reykjavík residents, providing access to information, experiences and services comparable to new libraries in benchmark capital cities, while also reflecting Iceland's unique culture and characteristics.
- The library will bridge digital and human service delivery, serving as a neutral space for co-creation where we can reimagine possibilities and respond quickly to rapid societal changes and resident needs.
- Residents will actively participate in creating the framework, experience, and services for the new library in collaboration with the building's design team. The redesign will recognize that the library is a dynamic space requiring ongoing operational development and changes made in collaboration with residents.
- Emphasis is placed on realistic and exciting proposals that respect the historical building's surroundings and character. Environmental considerations, sustainability, and eco-friendly design must guide all design decisions and material selections. The building is intended to achieve BREEAM certification.
Reykjavík City and the Reykjavík City Library are following design thinking principles, emphasizing resident participation and collaboration throughout the design process.
Prequalification committee
- Representative of USK - Ámundi V BrynjólfssonEngineer and Office Manager
- Representative of USK - Sólveig Sigurðardóttir, Architect and Project Manager
- City Library Representative - Guðrún Lilja Gunnlaugsdóttir, Designer and Head of Department
- Representative from Design Center - Thelma Guðmundsdóttir, Interior Architect
- Representative of AÍ - Hildur Gunnarsdóttir, Architect
Selection Committee
- Representative of USK - Ólöf Örvarsdóttir, Chairman of the Jury, Architect and Department Head
- Representative of USK - Guðni Guðmundsson, Construction Technician
- Reykjavík City Library representative - Pálína Magnúsdóttir, librarian and information specialist, and city librarian
- Architects Association of Iceland representative - Marcos Zotes, architect
- Representative of AÍ - Halldór Eiríksson, Architect
Secretary: Gréta Þórsdóttir Björnsson, Architect and Project Manager
Consultant/project manager: Gísli Sæmundsson, Architect
Selection committee advisors
- Aat Vos, architect and consultant
- Arna Ýr Sævarsdóttir, Head of Service Design Office
- Arnar Snæberg Jónsson, project manager at the Department of Welfare
- Elias Bjarnason, Project Manager in the Office of Public Works and Maintenance
- Hjálmar Sveinsson, Councilor
Confidential representative
The trustee of the competition is Helga Guðjónsdóttir. Email: trunadarmadur@ai.is Phone number: 7802228 / 8483306
Design and implementation of the competition area is managed by Reykjavík City. Reykjavík City is offering the competition in the European Economic Area.
Anyone meeting the requirements may participate in the pre-qualification process. Applicants should form interdisciplinary teams including at minimum one architect, one interior architect, and one experience designer.
The 5 teams selected during pre-qualification who submit competition proposals will each receive 5,000,000 ISK for their submission. The winning proposal will receive an additional 5,000,000 ISK and is expected to secure a design contract for the project.
Pre-qualification description and supporting documents
The pre-qualification description is available from Jan. 7, 2022, and can be accessed at https://utbod.reykjavik.is.
Participants must register on the Reykjavík City procurement website to participate. Participants should note that registering on the tender website is essential to receive all information regarding the competition.
Questions and answers will be available on the tender website. The inquiry deadline for pre-qualification is Jan. 21, 2022, before noon.
Responses to inquiries are expected within 10 business days.