Overview

Helguvík / Bergvík

Ásbrú

Aðalgata

Terminal Forecourt

Focus Areas

K64 identifies great potential to showcase Iceland’s unique environment while creating a great arrival experience at the terminal building, adding to the already ambitious plans put forward by ISAVIA, the country’s airport operator. 
The proposed land-side forecourt development to the north of the terminal may include a destination plaza as a receptor spine organising a series of activities around it, including commercial, car-rental facilities, events spaces, co-working areas and learning zones amongst others. ​

The terminal forecourt has great potential to showcase Iceland’s unique environment while creating a great arrival experience at the terminal building. The masterplan complements Isavia´s masterplan for Keflavík Airport, and proposes a series of programs for the area.

The proposed landside forecourt development to the north of the terminal constitutes a welcome plaza which concentrates a series of activities including commercial zones, car-rental reception, events spaces, co-working areas and learning zones. 
Furthermore, additional programs for the forecourt area include a visitor centre, hotels, a coordinated car rental terminal and a terminal of the KRL.

Landscaping around the forecourt area plays a key role in enhancing the arrival experience. This is planned through landforming and afforestation which will extend towards the Aðalgata area. Included in the landscaping plans are networks of paths and trails for active commutes and leisure alike. 
The Peninsular park can be extended to the airport forecourt to provide an attractive nature experience for the passengers between the flights and the airport personnel. The park would connect to the regional network of paths and trails with a service point offering maps, equipment and bike rental and temporary storage boxes. 
The area outside the airport terminal could be programmed around the experience of land art and could use the tree and landform strategy to mitigate the strong winds. Mitigation would be placed around the bike paths to make the daily commute to the airport less arduous for the employees.

Landscape guidelines for the Terminal forecourt

The area around the airport could facilitate a visitor centre plugged into the networks of paths and nodes that constitute the peninsular park. This would provide an option to safely explore the peninsula by foot or by bike between the flights or commute to the airport. Paths connecting to the horse centre, the lighthouses, the golf courses, the museums, restaurants, and all future programs would increase the access and the popularity of the peninsula.

Extension of the landscape towards the airport would make the experience of arriving in Iceland more attractive. For passengers on the long layover flights taking a walk and exploring land art surrounded by nature could become an exciting and a recharging experience. Land art could be curated to represent the Icelandic culture and myth serving as a greeting card for the country. The area would contain strong mitigation measures to offset the impact of the airport and the roads.

The landscape around the airport could offer a special opportunity to learn about the region and the country, invite people to explore the peninsula, its nature, culture, and gastronomy. Forested corridors would demonstrate Iceland’s commitment to climate adaptation. Clear wayfinding would improve hiking and walking paths designed in loops of different distances.

It is suggested that the KRL express bus line to Reykjavik has a transit terminal within a short distance from the Keflavik Airport terminal. Such a transit terminal will be connected to the KEF terminal by a covered walkway no longer than 200 m. Wayfinding will allow an easy, pleasant and immediate connection. 
As explained in the mobility strategy, the KRL will run on its own dedicated infrastructure, directly to Aðalgata and beyond without blending with regular traffic.

Focus Areas

Gateway to Iceland

Proposed programs

Landscape

Accessibility