More homes and greater housing diversity in Breiðholt

The lot proposals continue work from the neighborhood plan approved in 2022. In Breiðholt, the goal is more diverse housing with an emphasis on family homes based on a needs assessment of the area. The project is part of Reykjavík City's larger campaign to accelerate development throughout the city and meet urgent housing needs.

Forty-two new homes at Suðurhólar

The Suðurhólar development will include 42 new homes in row houses and small apartment buildings. The proposal calls for low-rise buildings of two to three stories that fit well with the surrounding area. The focus is on family-friendly homes with good outdoor spaces and private areas facing south. The homes will be diverse in type with average sizes of 120-148 square meters. Between the row houses there will be a shared courtyard for residents and a shared playground facing a shared street on city land.

The residential lot covers a total of 5,095 square meters, with total building area of 7,125 square meters. Within the planning area there is also city land totaling 6,940 square meters that will include a shared street, diverse green spaces with a playground and walking paths, with emphasis on Sustainable Drainage Systems in developing the area. The number of trees will be significantly increased on city land. Diverse vegetation in rain gardens, wetlands and tree planting will increase the area's biodiversity.

A new entrance and exit will provide access to the area from Suðurhólar. Parking for residents is in a garage that is partially under the new buildings and integrated into the landscape. Parking for disabled people and guests will be located along the shared street. The development connects well with the surrounding area, schools and services, and aligns with the character of the area.

Six new homes at Krummahólar

The proposal aims to reduce building volume, number of homes and lot size based on what the neighborhood plan allows on a lot at Krummahólar that is designated as a residential area in Reykjavík Municipal Plan 2040 and is currently a large parking lot and open space. The proposal is to build six new homes instead of twelve, in the form of row houses and duplexes on two floors with emphasis on family-friendly homes. There will be two building lots instead of one due to restrictions from underground piping that runs through the building lot. Emphasis is placed on environmentally friendly design and having the buildings fit well with existing development, with the goal of creating an attractive streetscape. According to the new land-use plan, building volume will be up to 810 square meters, compared to 1,472 square meters in the current neighborhood plan. There will be one parking space per home plus one shared space for all residents of the lot.
 

Sixteen homes at Austurberg and Hraunberg

At the intersection of Austurberg and Hraunberg, where there is currently a grassy slope, plans call for a new multi-use building on three floors. The proposal emphasizes reducing building volume and lowering the lot's Floor Area Ratio from what is allowed under the 2022 draft of the neighborhood plan. On the ground floor, at the corner of Austurberg and Hraunberg, there will be retail space or other services that benefit neighborhood residents and strengthen the area's community connections. On the upper floors of the building there will be 16 homes of varying sizes, including spacious family homes up to 130 square meters.

Parking will be located in a parking garage within the building lot, and on top of it will be a shared garden space for building residents that will also serve residents of Austurberg 28. The size and shape of the garden is determined by the building's relationship to nearby development as well as the scale and form of the building. The planning design aims to make efficient use of the land, improve the streetscape and strengthen the area's development pattern. The lot is within a central area as defined in Reykjavík Municipal Plan 2040. The neighborhood plan calls for Austurberg to become a city street with space for diverse transportation options such as CityLine, bicycles and walking paths. The land-use plan takes these changes into account and the building lot is set back from property lines to create space for new paths as well as outdoor areas on the ground floor of the building at the corner of Austurberg and Hraunberg.

Total building volume in the proposal is estimated at 3,537 square meters with a Floor Area Ratio of up to 1.8, compared to 6,400 square meters and a Floor Area Ratio of 3.85 in the neighborhood plan.

Consultation with residents and stakeholders

The project is being developed in consultation with residents and stakeholders in Breiðholt. Emphasis has been placed on gathering input from those who know the neighborhood well and ensuring that development takes into account the needs and expectations of the local community. Informational meetings and conversations with residents of nearby homes have been held to inform the surrounding neighborhood about these proposals.

Promotes more diverse housing options

This development represents an important step toward building in established neighborhoods while making better use of city land and infrastructure and strengthening green spaces. These changes also promote a greater variety of home sizes in the neighborhood. After reviewing home sizes by room count in Upper Breiðholt, adding more family-friendly homes was identified as important for bringing more families with children to the neighborhood. The focus was therefore placed on adding more three- to five-room homes.

Development will support biodiversity and green areas, both within and outside construction zones. Emphasis is on eco-friendly design and construction methods to minimize carbon footprint, using blue-green stormwater solutions and diverse vegetation.