The Wave

My area of investigation started with the fascination of their context and relationship with the ocean. Their coastline stretches to 1 100 km, and with their 17 islands, you are never further away than 5 km from the sea. The Faroese are also very dependent on their ocean, and 90 % of their exports consists of fishery products. 

The experience of the Faroese ocean was both powerful and enjoyable. It is a magical scenery in constant transformation, which is in my opinion the theatre of nature in the Faroe Islands. So how could I start framing this spectacle into a program?

Early on in the investigation, I became very interested in one specific site, and the decision on site was based on several conditions. I selected the site of the Eystara Bryggja, and their new extension to the harbour area. It is placed right outside of the city centre on a platform built on the seabed. It is the most exposed site in Tòrshavn constructed with a large breakwater to protect the city from strong waves, and therefore creating an interesting context and contrast of drama and calm sea that can be explored further both with the experience of the theatre of the sea and the potential of wave energy production. 

By understanding fluid dynamics and how waves interact with surfaces, the project is reacting to the great force of waves hitting the site. Slopes and openings in the breakwater create a curated way of framing waves to engage with the facades and the different layers of the building.

When are you underwater, inside the breakwater and elevated?

Architectural landscape reacting to the climate.

Since the breakwater is an already existing structure on site, I wanted to use it as part of the building proposal. I see a great quality in keeping it since it has its basic qualities of protecting the city. By keeping most of the structure, I explored how functions could be placed on the INSIDE, UNDER and OUTSIDE of the breakwater.