—Interview with artist Egill Sæbjörnsson and architect Rafael Campos de Pinho published on Icelandic newspaper Heimildin February 25th, 2025 Under the banner Byggjum Betur (“Build Better”), a group of citizens is urging Reykjavík to confront what they call an epidemic of junk architecture. In this conversation, architect Rafael and artist Egill Sæbjörnsson describe how decades of soulless, box-like developments such as Hlíðarendi and the new National Hospital are scarring the city, erasing tradition, and damaging wellbeing. They call for a cultural shift toward beauty, ornament, and human-scale design, and for the public to finally have a real voice in shaping the urban environment. (Read more...)
—Interview published on Icelandic newspaper Morgunblaðið January 4th, 2025
After the controversy over Reykjavík’s so-called “Green Monster” — a massive, boxy apartment block in Álfabakki widely criticized as ugly and emblematic of poor planning — journalist Baldur from Morgunblaðið interviews Rafael about why Iceland’s regulations and financial system keep producing such buildings, and how small-scale, human-centered development could offer a better path forward. He argues that Reykjavík should preserve its identity of warm, walkable neighborhoods instead of repeating the mistakes of large contractor-driven blocks. (Read more...)
—Published on HA Magazine in June 2019Published in HA, the magazine of the Icelandic Design Center, this article looks at engineered timber as a sustainable alternative to concrete. It explains how CLT is made and why it’s faster to build, lighter to transport, and capable of cutting emissions while still delivering strong, beautiful buildings — even in Iceland, where local forestry might one day supply the material. The piece also explores obstacles such as building codes, adhesives, and industry skepticism, and how these are being challenged by new technologies. (Read more...)
—Published on HA Magazine in January 2019A piece on crowdfunding as a new way to finance architecture and urban development. It begins with Joseph Pulitzer’s campaign to fund the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal and moves to contemporary examples such as Rotterdam’s Luchtsingel bridge, equity crowdfunding platforms, and blockchain tokenization. The article shows how these tools can democratize financing, give the public a real voice in shaping cities, and reduce dependence on traditional banks and private capital. (Read more...)
—Published on HA Magazine in January 2019This article examines incremental housing as a response to Iceland’s housing crisis. It looks at Alejandro Aravena’s award-winning Chilean model of “half a house” that residents can expand over time, and considers how the idea could be adapted to Iceland’s climate and culture. The piece highlights the potential benefits for municipalities, developers, and buyers alike, and presents Reykjavík’s first experiment with incremental housing through the Vaxtarhús development group. (Read more...)