The design of "A green heart for Reykjavík" is essentially derived from existing structures in the area. The natural division into two longitudinal strips and a common intersection in the south of the area is striking. This structure is retained in the draft and is decisive for the creation of new functions. With the aim of opening the area, but at the same time making as few cuts as possible, the existing road in the centre of the area will be retained and merely supplemented by a west-east connection in the area of the existing traffic- crossing. This connection enables both the connection to existing infrastructuresand the

development of the entire design area. In the south of the area the road, however, will be demolished to enable the existing structures to be networked. A new public sphere is emerging here, which is subject to the functions of culture. In the eastern area around the mall, the public part is being built, which includes buildings for public functions, office buildings and the mall for shopping. In the western part, raised out of the cityscape by the existing height difference, the new residential area is being created.

The Kringlan area needs new significance in the cityscape and new far-sighted addresses for optimal orientation in the city. To this end, new buildings are being erected, especially at the corners and edges of the area, which will give the area an important address visible from afar. In the southern part of the design mentioned above, a new square will be created for this purpose. This will not only be the southern address of the area but will also be the new cultural centre for the Kringlan area. The theatre "Borgarleikhúsið" thus receives a new emphasis in the cityscape and plays a decisive role in the formation of addresses. "Morgunblaðshúsið" will be restored to its original form and its basic

features will be preserved. The new function for the area of culture creates a connection to the theatre and gives the square a great importance in connecting the buildings with each other. The " Morgunblaðshúsið" will be supplemented by two buildings, to give the street and the square a structural dimension. A further high point completes the ensemble at the newly created square and creates a vertical viewpoint for the southern area. The square thus connects the cultural buildings with Kringlan Mall and creates a new address for functions and buildings.

The public part of the Kringlan area develops from this southern point further north and includes the preserved shopping mall in its full extent. Two single buildings will be added directly at the mall and will contain cafés and restaurants. In the north of the mall, large-format building blocks are being created which on the one hand protect the area from noise from the north and on the other hand contain office functions to integrate the function of working in the area. Of particular importance

is the large bridge in the north of the area around the road. This connects the Kringlan area to the area in the north and creates a network. A continuation and extension of the area in the north would be conceivable to align the structures of the two areas. Since the road "Miklabraut" remains untouched in terms of its dimensions and the speed of traffic, the connection is designed as a bridge over the road.

Also, above ground and designed as a bridge for cyclists and pedestrians, the connections in the north-western part are created directly at the crossing "Miklabraut" and "Kringlumýrarbraut". Here, several high points are created, directly at the crossroads, to place the area significantly in the urban structure. Similarly, these high points form the entry areas to the Kringlan area and create an improved orientation in the urban space. In the future, the road "Kringlumýrarbraut" will be reduced both in its extent and in the speed of traffic, so that a ground-level connection to the western neighbouring area will be possible. The same choice of material for the ground-level connection shows the dominance of this connection and assigns a dominant role to pedestrians and cyclists over car traffic. Both

connections openthe emphasized residential area in the Kringlan area. The entrance in the north is dominated by a small park. This "Welcome Park" forms the opposite of the sealed square in the south of the Kringlan area. Like residential typology, can be described as a broken-up block edge structure. Inside these blocks of flats, small, green, semi-private areas are created, which mark a quiet place for the residents. Between the L-shaped apartment blocks, a semi-public passage is created, which functions as a traffic-calmed area. Cars can enter the passage but are only allowed to access it and not to stay. Cyclists and pedestrians are therefore in the higher usage category. The "Hús verslunarinnar" and "Sjóvá" buildings, which have also been preserved, still contain office space.

In the centre of the Kringlan area, a connecting green heart for Kringlan is being created to link the above-mentioned areas. Two open spaces in the form of green spaces connect the higher-lying residential area with the public area of the shopping mall. Both green areas are different in their characteristics and design, but have the same design language and purpose, the connection and networking of the entire Kringlan area. The park in the residential area increasingly contains functions that are assigned to living. Sports and leisure areas dominate the shape of the green space. Above ground and designed as a pedestrian bridge, this park is connected to the other open space, which is located one level

below. This is located directly in front of the Kringlan Shopping Mall and includes more public functions. As a kind of city forest, it is directly connected with areas of cafés and restaurants and determines the exterior of the public area. Both parks, connected with each other, describe the basic idea of the concept "A green heart for Reykjavík" and are the central motif of the design. Between the two parks, under the bridge running across the street, there is a shared space, which brings the public area to the edge of the pedestal of the residential area. Restaurants and cafés enliven this area and create a connection to the attractively designed shared space through adjoining outdoor areas.

The lively and greened Kringlan Centre not only creates a network of the areas in the Kringlan area. Rather, it describes the formulation of a holistic design to improve quality in the Kringlan area. The connection within the area itself, as well as the connections to neighbouring

areas, not only creates a green and lively heart for Kringlan. Kringlan itself becomes a lively and green heart with a great quality of stay for the city of Reykjavík.