White Arkitekter has been selected as one of four finalists in the open Nordic Built Challenge competition for the Faroe Islands in Denmark, with their proposal, “The Eyes of Runavik.” Developed in collaboration with Norwegian engineering company DIFK / Florian Kosche, the design centers on a new “landmark building typology adaptable to a variety of steep terrains, and specifically designed for the climatic conditions of the Faroe Islands.”
The project draws inspiration from traditional Faeroese agriculture, in which an outfield, or “hagi,” is used for summer grazing, while cultivated land—“bøur”—is used for growing crops. Thus, each building ring, or “eye,” of the design “can be seen as a settlement in itself, with the outfield ‘hagi’ as the wild landscape all around, and the infield ‘bøur’ as the cultivated microclimate in the center.”
In addition to drawing from local contexts, the proposal makes use of local resources like basalt rock, water, wind, geothermal heat, vegetation, and sheep wool, as well as other sustainable materials, in an effort to produce minimal carbon dioxide emissions. The buildings further minimize energy requirements by meeting Passive House criteria, with the option of adding additional wind turbines or solar cells if desired.
Overall, the proposal aims to develop five dense settlements located a minimum of 30 meters apart in order to allow for the untouched “hagi” to surround the settlements. Each “eye” would contain between 24 and 28 row houses, and two access roads join existing infrastructure to the north and south of the site.
Learn more about the project here.
News via White Arkitekter.
