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Frakkastígur 1 has received the Icelandic Design Award 2026 in the Place category for its innovative approach to demonstrating how circular design principles can be successfully integrated into conventional construction processes. Through its distinctive architecture and thoughtful design approach, the project shows how limitations in material selection can become a driving force for creativity, ultimately giving the building its unique character, as well as significant aesthetic and cultural value.

Eyjólfur Pálsson, furniture and interior designer and founder of EPAL, has received the Honorary Award at the Icelandic Design Awards 2026 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Icelandic design. For more than half a century, Eyjólfur has been a passionate advocate for design, dedicated to raising its profile and strengthening its position within Icelandic society. Through his passion, initiative and unwavering commitment, he has created an important platform for Icelandic design and played a key role in promoting the work of Icelandic designers, both at home and internationally.

Aurora Foundation has received the Award for Best Investment in Design at the Icelandic Design Awards 2026 for Sweet Salone, a design and development initiative that fosters social and economic change by bringing together Icelandic designers and craftspeople in Sierra Leone.

Early bird tickets are now on sale for DesignTalks, the international design conference taking place on Wednesday, 7 April 2027, at Silfurberg in Harpa Concert Hall. British architect David Kohn is the first speaker to be announced for the conference, which brings together leading designers, architects and creative thinkers from around the world each year.

Mystic Garden is a collection of glass lamps by Brynjar Sigurðarson and Veronika Sedlmair of Studio Brynjar and Veronika. The collection comprises hand-blown glass objects in which experiments with material, colour and light meet narratives inspired by nature, romance and the supernatural. Mystic Garden is nominated for the Icelandic Design Awards in the category product.

Leiftur is a rescue boat designed by Páll Einarsson for Rafnar. The boat is part of Rafnar’s expanding range of rescue vessels, which are in use around the world. Leiftur is nominated for the Icelandic Design Awards 2026 in the category Product.

Frakkastígur 1 is a mixed-use residential and commercial building designed by s.ap architects. It is an outstanding experimental project in circular design, integrating the reuse of building materials, life-cycle assessment and long-term adaptability into the architecture from the outset. Frakkastígur 1 is nominated for the Icelandic Design Awards in the category Place.

Óskaland is an extension to the kindergarten of the same name in Hveragerði, designed by marimo architects. Architecture, interior design, bespoke furnishings and a variety of garden spaces come together to create a playful and welcoming environment shaped around the scale, perspective and experience of children. Óskaland has been nominated for the 2026 Icelandic Design Awards in the category Place.

The Vitrum Iceland glass collection consists of a side table, wall lamps, vases, shelves and a chair, all made from recycled glass. With Vitrum, Johanna Seelemann collaborates with Íspan-Glerborg, glass artist Anders Vange and the lighting designers Hildiberg to give new life to glass that would otherwise end up in landfill. Vitrum Iceland is nominated for The Icelandic Design Awards in the category Project.

Þura Stína Kristleifsdóttir has been appointed Director of DesignMarch. She will lead the development and delivery of DesignMarch in collaboration with Klara Rún Ragnarsdóttir, Programme Director of the festival, and the team at Iceland Design and Architecture. Þura Stína will also contribute to a range of Iceland Design and Architecture projects in Iceland and internationally.

DesignTalks is the opening event of DesignMarch and has, for many years, served as a platform for both international and Icelandic conversations on progressive design, architecture and society. Bringing together designers, architects and creative thinkers, the event is a space for sharing new ideas, projects, solutions and experiences.

DesignMarch is a festival of creativity, ideas and new perspectives. It brings together designers, architects and companies that think big, challenge conventions and explore new paths. What is happening? Is something changing? What is beginning to emerge?