All of the country’s least popular new buildings are located in Reykjavík, according to a recent public poll. The pedestrian bridge over Sæbraut, known as “Græna gímaldið”, the new Landsbankinn headquarters, and the green warehouse at Álfabakki topped the list of architectural eyesores.
Strong Opposition
The green warehouse was named the worst-looking new building of the year in a recent survey conducted by Arkitektúruppreisnin á Íslandi (Architecture Rebellion).
Of the 5,755 people who took part, 43.7% singled out the warehouse. As reported by RÚV, many local residents have voiced strong opposition to the development, and nearly 3,000 signed a petition delivered to the city mayor earlier this year.
In second place was the new pedestrian bridge over Sæbraut, which opened in August as a temporary safety measure until road works are completed. It received 27.5% of the votes.
The Landsbankinn building on Reykjarstræti, central Reykjavík, came third with 11.7%. The headquarters, costing ISK 16.5 billion, opened two years ago.
Everyone’s Business
Other buildings making the top five included the Alþingi’s Smiðja office (8.9%) and the new Landspítali (national hospital) at Hringbraut (8.1%), one of Iceland’s largest construction projects, expected to be fully operational by 2030.
The Architecture Rebellion movement, which began in Sweden, describes itself as an apolitical forum for discussing Iceland’s architectural future. The organisation’s Facebook page states: “Beautiful architecture is everyone’s business.”