Project Case
Reykjavik Energy
A renovated atrium designed to bring people together and open up views across Iceland’s nature. Heat and cold had made the space unusable. Shading integrated into the glazing delivered both without a single external component or manual control.
Where Utility Meets Comfort
Reykjavik Energy, known locally as Orkuveitan, is Iceland’s largest utility company. It supplies geothermal heat to homes across the southwest of the country. It also runs electricity, water, sewage, and fibre internet services.
The company’s headquarters had serious problems. Mold had spread through the building since construction. The central atrium connected two office buildings, but staff could not use it well. In summer, temperatures reached 35°C. In winter, the same space turned cold. The planned common areas stood mostly empty. A winding staircase linked the different floors. Reykjavik Energy also wanted to bring staff together from separate locations into one building.
A renovation was needed to address these issues. Working with Hornsteinar Reykjavik architects, the team designed a new glass atrium from scratch, with beautiful wooden staircases and common areas on every single floor. The ambition was clear: a space that brought people together over improved conditions, with clear views out to the nature surrounding the building.
MicroShade® panes were installed in the south façade and across the whole glass atrium. Wind conditions in Iceland rule out external shading systems in many buildings, and this project was no exception. Because MicroShade® sits inside the glass, it needed no external moving parts and no added maintenance. In daily use, staff do not notice the shading at all, it is visible only on close inspection.
The result is an atrium that works as intended. On sunny days, staff have views all the way to Eyjafjallajökull as well as to the mountains near Reykjavik and the geothermal fields the company operates. The space now functions as it was designed to: a place where people gather over coffee and connect across the organization, supporting the kind of work Reykjavik Energy does for Iceland and for the planet.
Client Testimonial
In their own words
“It was very important to us to give people access to these amazing views that we have from our office. Both when they are sitting at their desk as well as when walking around in the office.”
“The best ideas come over a cup of coffee. For us, it is all about people — and these common spaces are what connect people across our organization.”– Sævar Freyr Þráinsson CEO, Reykjavik Energy
Traditional blinds and screens require mechanical systems, power supplies, maintenance contracts and regular replacement. They block the view when closed and do nothing when open.
MicroShade® is integrated directly into the glazing unit. Passive, permanent and automatic, it works with the angle of the sun delivering shade in summer and allowing warmth through in winter. No moving parts. No intervention required.
No. Visible light transmission of 50-60% ensures interiors remain genuinely bright throughout the year. Unlike solar control glass, the microstructure blocks high-angle solar heat while allowing diffuse daylight to pass through freely.
Colour rendering above Ra 95 means natural light inside the building stays true to its source.
Yes. The product integrates into standard double or triple glazed units and is suitable for both new construction and retrofit projects. No mechanical systems, no wiring and no structural modifications are required.
There is no impact on the building exterior and no additional trades are needed beyond the glazing contractor already on the project.
The microstructure film sits protected inside the glazing cavity and is almost imperceptible to the naked eye, though the join between sheets is visible on close inspection. From the outside the facade looks clean and as designed.
From the inside the view out remains clear and unobstructed at all times. No tint, no visible pattern and no reduction in the quality of the outlook.
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