Borgarnes

The project: “Sögutorgin” - “Historic squares”

Sögutorgin (Historic place) is a pre-design architectural plan made with the active participation of the local community in Borgarnes. For this project, Alternance collaborated with the municipality of Borgarbyggð and the Faculty of Planning and Design at the Agricultural University of Iceland.

Sögutorgin a research-based participatory planning proposal for the improvement of public spaces in the old town.  The Alternance team paid particular attention from the outset to the old town where important archaeological remains and architectural heritage can be found. In 2022, we conducted an interdisciplinary study to identify strategic public spaces based on three main criteria: heritage significance, urban design quality and key cultural and/or commercial activities. This included research in urban morphology -and history, urban design -and environmental psychology, as well as discussions with community members. The overall objective was to anchor the design project in local context and values, to valorise cultural heritage and environmental beauty.

Public spaces near Skallagrímsgarður (where the medieval burial mound of Skallagrímur, the father of the hero of Egil’s saga, is located) and Landnámssetur (where the town developed in the 19th century) have been highlighted in particular for their significant potential. The streets connecting both places –Borgarbraut and Brákarbraut- are also part of the area selected to make an architectural project.  Made in collaboration with the local community, it includes the preliminary design of two squares (Skallagrímur’s square and Brák’s square) and the axis between them (Borgarbraut and Brákarbraut).

Skallagrímur’s square

To the north, between Skallagrímsgarður (garden of Skallagrímur) and Kveldúlfsvöllur (plain of Kveldúlfur), the preliminary project provides the creation of a new square.  Skallagrímur’s square is formed around two landmarks. The central one is the medieval burial mound of Skallagrímur. The second is the “commemorative” mound named after his father, Kveldúlfur. The square in the center is intended as a community space for cultural, associative and festive meetings in the open air, hosting a greenhouse/cafe, a water space recalling the marsh past of the place and offers a space that can accommodate a stage in front of the music school. The square starts the shared space developed along the axis –Borgarbraut and Brákarbraut- until Brák’s square.

Brák’s square

To the south of the peninsula, Brák’s square is created where the town developed in the 19th century. The settlement center (Landnámssetur), established in houses dating from 1876-1887, is located next to it. A new community building, taking the shape of the old slaughterhouse and its conceptual location on the water's edge, frames the borders of the square. The building has a cultural and associative vocation. The square is a multi-use space centered around a shallow pool of water, which can be heated, frozen, emptied or temporarily filled, thus accommodating numerous uses and events. The stepped docks, descending towards the fjord, provide historic access to the water.