Kópavogur, Iceland 2017
8 Row Houses
Infill Development Masterplan
Brekkuhvarf is a quiet street in the Vatnsendi neighborhood of Kópavogur, by the Elliðavatn lake and 15 minutes away from downtown Reykjavík. This suburban infill project consists of eight row houses tucked into a re-divided lot with a tree density that is quite unusual for Iceland. The houses and driveway were carefully placed between the tree clusters, in a way that the tallest trees are left untouched. The vegetation creates a screen between the houses and the street, allowing for generous fenestration without compromising on privacy. The neighborhood is a mixed bag of architectural styles and periods. Hence, the design takes inspiration from the surrounding nature and the project site, and was somewhat defined by the bucolic idea of a tree house. Materials were chosen for their organic look and feel, so that the houses blend into the vegetation and almost go unnoticed.