The space of disembarkation: The bus, gas, community and service station

Effo Kollafjørðali is located in the Faroe island's mountains, surrounded by pristine wilderness. This project is a reflection of generic design in the context of the Faroe Islands, as well as a typology study. By responding to the climate, materiality, tectonics, and the local life of the Faroe Islands.

Effo Kollafjørðali as a in-between space

The interplay between nature and man is evident in every village on the Faroe Islands.

“ The landscape of the Faroe Islands gives one a strong cosmic feeling. The small islands lie the embrace of the Gulf Stream in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean and abandoned to the ravages of the North Atlantic low pressure disturbances. The speed in which the weather changes is remarkable, almost dooming in character – and the short space between life and death is more evident here than many other places.

Overall, under the high vaulted heavens, there is an endless view the sea. The broad horizon prevails everywhere, only temporarily interrupted by the naked, vertical walls and the grass covered mountain sides, which bear modest traces of generations of struggle for survival. 

The key to the Faroeish culture can be found here, in the transition between land and sea. The mist that erases any sense of distance, blurs the outlines as does the pouring rain. But when the sun breaks through, the strength of these impressions staggering. 

——Palle Dyreborg, “LANDET OG HUSENE: The landscape,” Arkitektur DK, no. 6–7 (1995). ”

Effo Kollafjørðali as a typology study

For decades, the gas station has been a staple of both urban and rural landscapes. As the 20th century saw the democratization of automobiles, the gas station became arguably one of the most generic, universal architectural typologies.

What I was looking for is a potential solution - is it possible for the future gas station to be better integrated into the local landscape and the local context while maintaining recognizability and visibility.

Effo Kollafjørðali as a community

A touching story from a taxi driver

“For people like me who live in the capital and work at the airport, this gas station is a stop we must pass through. We have a quick breakfast, grab a cup of coffee and see the same faces everyday.

We are familiar with each other, even though we didn't even know each other's names. We would say hello and talk about last night's football game.”