How one Icelandic architecture firm turned a brand-new regulatory requirement into an opportunity to embed sustainability at the heart of its design practice.
Iceland introduced mandatory LCA for buildings in September 2025 - a significant step for a market building its LCA practice from the ground up.
Real-Time LCA integrated into M11’s existing BIM workflow, enabling data-driven carbon analysis as a natural part of daily design work.
Faster, transparent LCA calculations from day one - with sustainability now embedded in every project from the earliest design phases.
Iceland became the latest Nordic country to introduce mandatory Life Cycle Assessment for buildings when the new regulation took effect on September 1, 2025. Under the rules set by the Housing and Construction Authority of Iceland (HMS), developers must submit an LCA as part of their building permit application for most new construction projects. The assessment must cover the full lifecycle of the building and be submitted through the HMS LCA portal before a permit is granted.
For a market taking its first formal steps with mandatory LCA, the transition brings both challenges and opportunities. Iceland does not yet have the depth of local environmental data or established workflows that markets like Denmark, Norway, or Sweden have built over years. But what the Icelandic market does have is a committed community of practitioners ready to invest in the tools and knowledge to do this well from the start.
Real-Time LCA has been working closely with firms across Iceland through this transition. When the team visited Reykjavík in early 2025, it was an opportunity to deepen those relationships and see first-hand how the market was evolving - and M11 Arkitektar were among the practices leading that conversation with real clarity of purpose.
Led by Architect Hugrún Þorsteinsdóttir and Architectural Technologist Jón Grétar Magnússon, M11 Arkitektar works across residential, commercial, and public projects throughout Iceland. The firm combines architectural design, technical expertise, and construction insight under one roof - an integrated approach that shapes how they think about design, materials, and the long-term performance of buildings. For M11, sustainability is not a regulatory box to tick; it is a foundational professional obligation shaped by the specific realities of working in Iceland.
“As architects, we carry a significant responsibility in how the buildings of the future develop and impact their surroundings – not only in terms of form and design, but also in the environmental footprint they leave for future generations.” - Jón Grétar Magnússon, M11 Arkitektar
Working in a northern context adds particular weight to that responsibility. Iceland’s nature is fragile. Access to building materials is limited. Transportation of materials – often shipped long distances – is both costly and carbon-intensive. These constraints make sustainable design not just an aspiration, but a practical necessity.
“Our ambition is to leave the land, buildings, and environment in a better condition than we received them, for the benefit of future generations. For us, sustainability in construction is fundamental. It is about minimizing environmental impact without compromising architectural quality or functionality. Sustainability is not an add-on, but an integral part of all design and decision-making.” - Jón Grétar Magnússon, M11 Arkitektar
With Real-Time LCA, M11 gained something the Icelandic market had been waiting for: the ability to make informed, data-driven decisions early in the design process, where the impact of those decisions is greatest.
“A modern LCA tool allows us to make informed, data-driven decisions early in the design process, where the impact is greatest. It provides transparency on the carbon footprint of materials and design solutions, enabling us to compare alternatives in a structured way and choose more responsible options.” - Jón Grétar Magnússon, M11 Arkitektar
Integration with design software has been a particular advantage. Rather than treating LCA as a separate, time-consuming process bolted onto the end of a project, Real-Time LCA allows analysis to happen as part of the daily design workflow. Comparing material alternatives, testing different construction approaches, and tracking carbon impact against project targets becomes part of how M11 designs - not an interruption to it.
The tool has also changed how M11 communicates with clients and project stakeholders. By making sustainability measurable and tangible, rather than abstract, conversations about material choices and environmental targets become grounded in real data.
These recommendations carry special significance in Iceland right now. With LCA requirements still new, early adopters like M11 are not just meeting regulatory expectations - they are actively shaping what good practice looks like for the wider industry.