The new Eysturkommuna Town Hall was built on a river in the village of Norğragøta in the Faroe Islands. Designed by Henning Larsen Architects Partner Ösbjørn Jacobsen, a Faroese native, the 750-square-metre green-roofed town hall showcases a key feature of traditional Faroese architecture: blurring the line between nature and architecture.
The Town Hall was one of the first new buildings designed to bring public life back to the heart of Norragargarta. Before a large fishing factory moved into town, the community held special events at the local beach.
To create a welcoming atmosphere, the building features public terraces and green roofs where people can have picnics or swim in the river, while exhibitions, lectures, concerts and other events can be held inside. Artist Jens Ladekarl Thomsen also created an exterior light and sound installation that extracts sound from its surroundings.
Jacobson describes: "Many contemporary contributions to Faroe architecture directly replicate elements of traditional architecture. I find it more interesting to study the basic ideas of traditional architecture. ”
He added: "The main concept behind the town hall design was driven by the concept of this fleeting line between landscape and architecture. I believe this may be a way to approach modern Faroe architecture. ”