Northern Garden Dedicated – Artwork in a New Light
Around 80 people were present when the North Garden on the North Shore was formally inaugurated last night. The inauguration marked the completion of extensive renovations to the garden. Hardwood cladding, seating platforms and viewing areas will draw us, the residents of Hafnarfjörður, to the sea to enjoy.
The North Garden is ready
Around 80 people were present when the North Pier was formally inaugurated last night. The inauguration marked the completion of extensive renovations to the pier. Hardwood cladding, seating areas and viewing platforms will draw us residents of Hafnarfjörður back to our roots – here in the beautiful fjord. We now have a viewing platform overlooking the harbour and Faxaflói.
Harbour Master Ludvig Geirsson gave a speech about the project yesterday before he handed the baton to the project's designer, Thráinn Hauksson, to light the 5-metre beacon at the end of the harbour wall. He said that Thráinn had designed and developed this gem over the last 20 years.
Yes, the North Pier has been reinforced with rock armour and raised by just over two metres. The surfacing and connections to Strandstígurinn have now been completed, along with the installation of lighting and a new entrance beacon.
Landslags' proposal was chosen.
The architectural practice Landslag was commissioned to develop the proposal for the surface and environment of Norðurgarður, which the Port Authority selected for implementation. The Port Authority sought proposals from three architectural practices in the summer of 2024. Emphasis was placed on good public access to the garden, facilities for viewing and fishing, and the implementation of an approach light at its end.
The design process had been initiated earlier that same year. The harbour master was tasked with preparing it in January, and the harbour board approved in February to call for proposals for the surfacing, in collaboration with the council's planning department.
Phased development
The improvements are part of the development of the Nordurbakka area, which has been ongoing in several phases. The Port Board approved the tendering of rock protection at Nordurbakka in August 2020. The landscape and engineering services company Strendingur then worked on the preparation and design in collaboration with Hafnarfjarðarhöfn and the municipality's Department of Environment and Planning.
Work on the North Bank's rock armour had begun in March 2021. The reconstruction and raising of the North Quay were planned to follow.
Stone fillings outside the North Wall prepared for its concreting, which began in the summer of 2025. The foundation had to be carefully reinforced due to a weak subsoil beneath the wall. Its forward section had subsided significantly in the summer of 1945, and as a result, the wall had been lower there for decades.
The finishing touches were added this year with the construction of a wooden deck and seating platforms, improved access and the installation of lighting. The garden now offers a place to pause, enjoy the view and watch life at the harbour.
A number of companies and specialists have been involved in the project. In addition to Landslag, others include the architects Batteríið, the engineering firm Strending, the construction company Galdraöfl, the electrical contractor RAFX, the lighting design firm Liska, Vélsmiðja Konráðs Jónssonar, Hagtak and Gröfu og grjót. Staff from Hafnarfjörður Harbour and the City of Hafnarfjörður have also been involved in the design, construction and development of the area.
Yes, we've got a fantastic gem at the end of the harbour wall. It's better seen than described.