Akureyri Micro Homes
Location: Reykjavík Year: 2025-2027 Type: Turnkey competition, 1st prize Program: Social housing for the homeless Size: 8 x 35m2, 1 x 15m2 Status: Ongoing
Client: Akureyri Municipality Collaborators: exa nordic, Pascal, Raflagnateikningar, Örugg Contractor: Verk lausn ehf. Team: Audur Hreidarsdottir, Wiktoria Szaratkiewicz, Blanca Lára C. Bjarnarson, Ylfa Hrönn Aradóttir
Nine timber houses for the homeless in Akureyri will be constructed in 2026 and 2027. The houses are prefabricated in Skagaströnd and are portable - designed to be moved to a new location in the future. The project is a result of a turnkey competition held in 2025.
The project is an initiative for clients of the municipality who struggle with homelessness and complex challenges — whether health-related, mental health issues, or substance abuse — which can both cause and result from the lack of housing. The units are based on the Housing First approach, where housing is provided without special conditions other than the resident’s willingness to have a home and a place of their own. Additional social support is then offered alongside the housing, tailored to individual needs. The philosophy is built on the fundamental ideas that everyone has the right to a home, that they should have choice, and the ability to influence their own circumstances.
The houses are simple in form, with pitched corrugated roofs and wood clad walls. Familiar in form and scale, they are designed to fit easily to existing neighbourhoods and give residents a sense of pride and belonging. Built from healthy materials, the houses offer a wholesome living environment with generous daylight and views toward greenery and mountains, supporting both mental and physical well-being.
Each unit has a sheltered terrace, providing a private outdoor space that can be enjoyed even in rain. Inside, the layout is efficiently planned: a combined kitchen and living area on one side, bedroom on the other, with bathroom and entrance forming a central core. The design allows flexible furniture placement, including space to accommodate wheelchair use and home assistance if needed. Compact yet thoughtful, the houses ensure comfort, accessibility, and dignity — creating a safe home base where residents can rebuild stability and community.
