Proposed Design Competition for a New International Arctic Hub in Vatnsmýri, Reykjavík
On behalf of the Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson Foundation and Arctic Circle, we are pleased to announce a proposed design competition for a new international headquarters dedicated to addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges, with a particular focus on the Arctic. The competition is being organised in collaboration with the Association of Icelandic Architects (AÍ).
The building has been given the working title Norðurslóð. It is intended to become a home for international and interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together institutions, universities, businesses and individuals under one roof to strengthen knowledge-sharing and cooperation on Arctic affairs and other major global issues. Its activities will include advancing expertise and collaboration in support of sustainable solutions relating to climate change, green energy, the oceans and international cooperation.
The concept for the building builds on the significant achievements of Arctic Circle. Arctic Circle was founded in 2013 by the then President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, together with a number of international partners. Its purpose is to provide an open and democratic platform where leading figures and stakeholders from across the Arctic can come together.
Since its establishment, the annual Arctic Circle Assembly has brought together nearly 3,000 participants from more than 70 countries each year. Participants meet, exchange knowledge and establish connections that have led to important projects and new expertise in support of the sustainable development of the Arctic and the wider world.
The proposed building is intended to honour Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson’s lifetime contribution to climate action and international cooperation. It will harness the energy generated during the three days of the annual Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík and sustain that momentum throughout the year, directing it towards new ideas, partnerships and solutions.
Iceland is an ideal location for such a centre, given its leading role in green energy, the sustainable use of marine and natural resources, democracy, equality, peace and prosperity.
The Site
The building will be situated in a unique location in the heart of Reykjavík. The site is located at the edge of the University of Iceland and Reykjavík Science City development area, adjacent to the Vatnsmýri nature reserve, at the corner of Njarðargata and Sturlugata.
The site offers unobstructed views across the protected wetland and towards Reykjavík city centre. It is exceptional in terms of accessibility, visibility and potential use.
Reykjavík city centre and its wide range of services are within easy reach. The area is well served by public transport, and a planned Borgarlína rapid-transit stop will be located directly outside the building. Reykjavík Domestic Airport is within walking distance, while Keflavík International Airport is approximately a 50-minute drive away.
Objectives of the Competition
The purpose of the competition is to generate ambitious and well-developed proposals for the architectural concept, organisation and appearance of a building that will accommodate international offices, research centres, teaching facilities, event spaces and exhibition areas covering a broad range of Arctic-related subjects.
The building is also expected to provide facilities for relevant units within the University of Iceland and to host both Icelandic and international projects relating to academic and research collaboration.
The aim is for the building to become both a landmark and a home for the activities it accommodates. The outcome of the competition will be used as the basis for the continued development and design of the building, as well as in promotional material presenting the physical framework created around the vision of Arctic Circle and the Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson Foundation.
The total gross floor area of the building is expected to be approximately 20,000 m², of which approximately 16,400 m² will be above ground. It is anticipated that the building may be constructed in phases.
In consultation with the Association of Icelandic Architects, the client has decided to invite architectural practices and teams to express their interest in participating in the project.
Following the expression-of-interest stage, five to seven teams will be selected to participate in the first phase of the competition.
All submitted information will be treated as strictly confidential. A competition secretary, who is independent of the jury, has been appointed to oversee the process.
Draft competition documents and a preliminary project schedule are available below for interested parties to review.
Competition Process
1. Expression of Interest – by 15 August 2026
Architectural practices and architectural teams interested in participating must submit an expression of interest by email to the competition secretary at:
Expressions of interest must be received no later than 15 August 2026.
The email must include one document of no more than one A4 page containing basic information about the architectural practice or team, including:
- relevant experience;
- professional expertise; and
- the capacity to undertake a project of this scale.
No design proposal is required at this stage. Applicants should submit only an expression of interest accompanied by a one-page A4 profile of the practice or team.
2. Selection of Participants
A selection committee will review the submitted information and select five to seven teams from among the architectural practices and teams that have submitted an expression of interest and the required supporting information.
Only the selected teams will be invited to participate in the competition.
3. Competition Launch – 24 August 2026
The competition will formally commence on 24 August 2026, when the competition platform will be opened to the selected participants.
The competition will be conducted in two phases:
Phase One: Six weeks
Phase Two: Just over six weeks
The final submission deadline will be 1 December 2026.
Draft competition documents and a preliminary schedule are available for review. The final competition documents will be issued when the competition is formally launched.
4. Honorarium for Participants
Each participant that:
- advances to Phase Two of the competition;
- submits a valid competition proposal; and
- fulfils all requirements set out in the competition brief,
will receive a fixed honorarium of ISK 2,000,000.
The honorarium is therefore payable for a valid proposal submitted during Phase Two. No payment will be made for submitting an expression of interest or participating in the prequalification process.
5. Continuation of the Project
A contract will be entered into with the winner of the competition, under which the winning proposal will form the basis for the continued design and development of the project.
For further information, please contact the competition secretary, Björg Torfadóttir, Managing Director of the Association of Icelandic Architects, at: