About Batteríið Architects
Our Practice
Batteríið Architects Ltd. is a consulting architectural firm, founded in 1988, with a broad range of experience in building design and planning. The company benefits from highly trained and well educated employees that emphasize innovative ideas and creative design solutions.
Expertise
The company's expertise is a comprehensive knowledge of adjusting buildings to local environment and climate, Universal Design as well Occupational Safety & Health. The goal is that every completed project demonstrates this aspect as well as the company's policy. Important factors in the company's effort to perform outstanding services is our advanced knowledge and competence in applying 3D/BIM tools in our design and a strong infrastructure based on SharePoint and the international quality assurance system ISO 9001.
Quality / Sustainability / Safety
Our mission is to foster creativity and enhance quality of life through sustainable, beautiful, and safe environments tailored to local conditions and climates. As a leader among Nordic architectural firms, we prioritize understanding and exceeding the expectations of our customers, users, and stakeholders. Committed to excellence, we adhere to strict standards and continuously improve our certified management system. We invest in our team's education and skills, minimize our environmental footprint, and foster a healthy, productive workplace. Our efforts ensure significant returns for our owners and employees, underpinning our annual policy review and objective setting.
Partners and Management
Batteríið Architects Ltd. is a privately held company with ownership shared among Guðmundur Ósvaldsson, a Construction Engineer; Jón Ólafur Ólafsson, an Architect and Project Manager MPM and architects Sigurður Einarsson, Hákon Ingi Sveinbjörnsson, Sveinn Bjarki Þórarinsson, and Þorsteinn Aðalbjörnsson Constructing Architect. The company's executive management includes Guðmundur Ósvaldsson serving as the Executive Director and Sigurður Guðmundsson, holding a Cand Oecon degree, as the Chairman of the Board. The other board members consist of the four partners.
Awards
2018
USITT Architecture Award - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2016
Local Favorite Award, The Culture Trip
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2016
Best Meeting & Conference Centre in Europe
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2016
NIRSA Outstanding Sports Facility Award
University of Manitoba - Active Living Centre
2015
The Icelandic Concrete Award - Winner
Grindavík Sports Centre
2013
The Emirates Glass LEAF Awards - Public Building of the Year - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2013
WAN Performing Spaces Award - Nomination
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2013
The Mies van der Rohe Award - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
The Icelandic Heating, Ventilation and Sanitary Award - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
The Icelandic Concrete Award - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
The Cultural Award for architecture, Icelandic newspaper DV
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
Civic Trust Award in Edinburgh - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
Best public space – Arkitekturmassan Awards
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
Best MICE Centre in Northern Europe
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2012
Nordic Lighting Award - Honorable Mention
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2011
Wayshowing – IIIDAwards
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2011
Best Cultural Building of the World, World Architecture Festival- Nomination
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2011
Best Performance Space Design Award, Travel&Leisure Magazine
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2010
World Architecture Award - Winner
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
2010
One of the 10 Best Concert Halls and Inspiring Structures of the Millennium, Gramophone Magazine
Harpa Concert and Conference Hall
Our Expertise
We say that collaboration is our expertise, but there is more to it...
Climate- And Nature Sensitive Building Design
Since 1995 Batteríið Architects has performed independent research in the field of climatic adjustments of the built environment.
The firm has access to prominent specialists and it’s consulting services in the field of climatic design adjustments is one of a kind in Iceland.
Accessibility / Universal Design
The importance of accessibility is highly appraised by the firm, and consultancy within the field of Universal Design is superior.
Batteríið Architects is the proud author of the book “Aðgengi fyrir alla,” the first Icelandic reference manual for Accessibility and Universal Design.
Occupational Safety and Health
Batteríið Architects has an advantage in the field of Occupational Safety and Health.
The firm's employees receive special training and have adopted the methodology of design and supervision for safety in the workplace.
The firm's project managers are trained in intermediating work permit applications and collaborating with Safety Inspectorates, providing the firm with precious working knowledge.
Cross Border Cooperation
Since 2004, Batteríið Architects, including its subsidiary TBL Architects, has engaged in significant cross-border collaborations, contributing its expertise to large-scale international projects. Notably, it led the design of a major aluminum smelter for Alcoa in Iceland, a 28,000 sqm concert and congress center in Reykjavik featuring artwork by Olafur Eliasson, and various competitions and projects across Canada and Norway, winning top honors for innovative architectural designs.
These collaborations span sectors including healthcare, finance, and public infrastructure, showcasing Batteríið's ability to partner effectively with global firms and municipal bodies, thereby reinforcing its position in international architecture and design.
Competitiveness
Competitions are an important way to stay professionally alert and develop new ideas and solutions – ever so important for an architectural firm which strives to keep its position at the forefront.
Important criterions of the firm´s competitive competence are the results from its participation in Architectural Design Competitions. Batteríið Architects has received numerous awards for its achievements – in Iceland and abroad.
In the last 20 years the firm has entered more than 60 competitions and received more than 40 acknowledgements and awards for its achievements. The company has until date received twenty-one 1st prizes in architectural competitions, thirteen 2nd prizes & two 3rd prizes.