Copenhagen-based JAJA Architects recently placed above 40 Scandinavian firms with their proposal, Landscape Loop, for Norway to receive a shared first prize for an idea competition. The proposal incorporates the existing contextual qualities of Andalsnes and develops ways to improve and connect the area into a unified entity for the future. “It is a project that gathers the city’s development within a belt that wraps around the town core – creating a series of “blue” and “green” urban spaces while establishing natural connections between city and landscape,” explained the architects.
More images and more about the proposal after the break.
Working off of the city’s surrounding landscapes, JAJA has suggested to re-introduce nature into the urban space. The encircling loop of landscape will become the city’s new backdrop that gives inhabitants and tourists a constant proximity to the surrounding landscape – all year long. It will become a frame around the town that encourages a compact urban development, an intricate network of streets, plazas and courtyards that breathes urban life around the town.
Currently, Aandalsnes is a small town of 3000 inhabitants and although it has the potential to be a vivacious location, the city’s empty properties and undefined urban spaces need some attention. With JAJA’s proposal, the city will be able to benefit from its amazing natural setting and grow to become dynamic destination place and exciting spot to live.
IN- AND OUTDOOR SHOPPING CLUSTER: In a three layer complex, the Handletunet is a hybrid between an indoor shopping facility and an outdoor shopping cluster. On ground level, the shopping cluster is conceived of smaller buildings that meet the surrounding scale while the levels below consist of more conventional and efficient shopping areas.
FANTASTIC NATURE: On the front row is the new maritime culture house. It is one of the many new places, where one can come closer to the water.
BETWEEN WATER AND LAND: The New Fjord Bath and Harbour Park is the new inviting place between water and land in Aandalsnes. Here new buildings, industrial and natural landscapes merge together to create a new urban space.
THE ROLLING EXHIBITION: Old train cars and shipping containers are transformed into galleries, workshops and exhibition spaces. Like small islands they float above plants and natural fauna of the Rail Park.
