Hönd í Hönd
Auður Ásta BrynjólfsdóttirHönd í Hönd is a building that is designed for young families. They maybe don’t have too much money, they are buying their first apartment, or they simply just want to live there for the joint family spirit.
Often young people and especially new parents find themselves with little money to spare, so with that idea I thought to myself what the possibilities are? Can anything be shared? The idea formed into shared spaces that all residents can benefit from and from one another.
The location of the building is in the Kringlan area. It suites young families well, good connections to schools, Borgarlína transportation goes right by, and the neighborhood is very pedestrian friendly. The area is close to the main shopping and retail in Reykjavík. There are only shared streets in the area so there is not a lot of car traffic and little pollution because of that.
Because of the lowered intersections of Kringlumýrarbraut and Miklabraut children do not need to cross these big streets and can walk to school safely.
So, this area supports sustainable living.
The building is on five floors, and on each floor, you have a shared space. Every square meter of the apartments is well used, and it fist the family, but it does not offer the opportunity for bigger events. But the main concept is for the shared spaces to have the functions that is not included in the private apartments. It brings all the residents together in daily life activities.
On each floor you have different activity in the shared space, but they can be used in many ways. As a resident you can use the shared space on every floor. You can spend time together with friends, watch tv with neighbors, have big dinners where you can invite all your friends, you can study, party, do laundry or even have a birthday party for your children.
In the building you have stroller and bicycle storage on first floor and above that on the next three floors you have a playroom for the children. Where they can meet up with friends, neighbors, and play. Because the apartments often do not have space for that.
The apartments have a lot of built-in furniture, so when you buy the apartment, you do not have to go and buy all new furniture. The living area is often divided with built in sofa/shelf unit. You have a sleeping area instead of typical bedrooms, so it is just one big space that is divided with a sliding door or a closet. The children's beds are either built in with storage underneath or they are movable and slide in the closet when the children are not sleeping. With this you can save a lot of space.
On the fifth floor you have a laundry room that is connected to the shared space, so while you are waiting for the washing machine you can play pool or have a beer form the fridge sit in the sofa and relax. There is also a big terrace where you can let your clothes dry, grow your own food in the green house or the pots, you can also sit in the sun and have an enjoyable time.
I feel like this can be the community of the future, where everyone helps and is better connected with one another. Where people live hand in hand.
Joint- something shared or made by two or more people together.
And in my project, I am aiming for that idea. The joint shared live style.
My building is designed for young families that are maybe buying their first apartment, they don’t have too much money, or they simply just want to live there for the joint family spirit.
Often young people and especially new parents find themselves with little money to spare, so with that idea I thought to myself what the possibilities are? Can anything be shared? The idea formed into shared spaces that all residents can benefit from and from one another.
This is the location of the building in the Kringlan area. It suites young families well, good connections to schools, transportation goes right by, and the neighborhood is very pedestrian friendly. There are only shared streets in the area so there is not a lot of car traffic and little pollution because of that.
Because of the lowered intersections of Kringlumýrarbraut and Miklabraut children don’t need to cross these big streets and can walk to school safely.
So, this area supports sustainable living.
Zooming in and see the building in 1 by 500 scale. The building is well placed if you consider sunlight and is close to the main retail and shopping as well as the path that goes over the intersection.
On each floor you have shared space, and they all have different functions.
On the first floor you have dining/BBQ area where you can go out in the garden. On second floor you have a cinema where everyone can watch a movie together. On third floor you have library which goes up in the next floor so, on the fourth you have study space which looks down in the library.
And on the fifth floor you have a laundry room, a large, shared space where you can play pool or just hang out in.
The terrace is also located there where the kids can play, and the families can grow their own food together.
Mood in the laundry and shared space on the fifth floor.
In every apartment there is just one sleeping area that is divided by a closet or a sliding door. And because of little space the children's beds are either built-in with storage under or movable and can slide in the closet when the children are not sleeping.
Almost every furniture in the apartment is built in, so you don’t have to bring too much with you when you move in. Witch is practical for young families.
On the fourth floor you can see the gap where you can look down in the library from the study room.
And on the fifth you can see the laundry room and the terrace.
A photo explaining the study area where you overlook the library. 
West side, facing the path that goes over the intersections little further. 
East side, facing the garden.
South side, looking over the garden on the right side and the path on the left side.
Floor plan of the 80 square meter apartment.
A section of that apartment, cutting through one children’s bedroom and the living area.
You can see the idea for the build in furniture, like the sofa/shelf unit that divides the space and the children's bed. 
Detail, cutting through the outer wall, balconies and terrace.
Simple explanation of the construction of the building. I chose to work with cross laminated timber or CLT.
Mood on the terrace.
Finally a view from the garden.
Urban Lab - Design Agency