bjørnådal arkitektstudio unveils parametric installation in norway

Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio unveils Tromsø’s largest installation

A rippling parametric installation in the frozen arctic of Norway, ‘Community Landscape’ by Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio redefines the concept of a grandstand into a monumental, functional work of art. The 30-meter-long structure winds between the trees of the Grønnåsen School in Tromsø to enhance the fabric of the school while also becoming a social gathering point for the local community after hours.

The studio’s founder Hans-Petter Bjørnådal unites his sustainability-driven approach to demonstrate how natural renewable materials such as duraply wood can be used in exciting new ways with the aid of parametric design.‘Using this technique, we can freely model and create organic shapes in a standardized way. Instead of traditional methods, we use printers and milling machines to create unique shapes. And as this is an art project, we can further expand on these forms,’ he explains.

Community Landscape | all images courtesy Hans-Petter Bjørnådal

giving new life to natural materials through parametric design

Able to accommodate up to 70 people at a time, Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio’s ‘Community Landscape’ creates various seating and activity spaces including secluded niches for rest, and more open landscapes for larger gathering. Through engaging and functional design, the grandstand intends to bring the local community together. ‘Because the art and architecture that really mean something to people are the ones they come into contact with every day,’ explain the architects of Bjørnådal. ‘Here, on the bench, students can relax with a view of the basketball court, and after school, all the people in the neighbourhood can find a place to sit with other people, or just enjoy the view.’

a rippling parametric structure

‘community landscape’ becomes one with its environment

From its materiality to its form and orientation, the design takes several cues from nature and underlines the city’s spectacular natural setting. The structure is composed of natural and durable duraply wood, which echoes its surrounding natural context. Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio also positions the grandstand to ensure it becomes a part of its natural and urban environments. Set towards the terrain against a natural backdrop, the grandstand makes its footprint with a conscious effort to preserve its site, and the specific wooden contours are a result of an effort to preserve an existing tree. Further, ‘Community Landscape’ offers a picturesque viewpoint to enjoy the surrounding mountainscape of the Arctic city.

made of robust duraply wood, the structure can withstand the harsh weather conditions

Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio has worked closely with art advisor Nina Mathisen and art curator Ina Otzko during the process, to create a parametrically designed landscape made of wooden slats. In the detail project, Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio has collaborated with Rambøll Oslo and Lost Coast Woodwork & Design for the review of the constructions and details.

project info:

name: Community Landscape

location: Tromsø, Norway

client: Tromsø Kommune
architecture: Bjørnådal Arkitektstudio – Hans-Petter Bjørnåda

parametric design: Andrea Mušić & Siemen Cuypers

consultant: Rambøll Oslo

carpenter: Lost Coast

woodwork and design supplier: Oslo Finerfabrikk

team: Ben Adams, Jan Kleine, Haye Sievertsen, Ole Bachmann, Sebastian Lind, Kjell Ronny Jensen, Ole Martin Gundersen, Mikkel Solberg, Oliver Adams, Philip Adams, Nina Mathisen, Ina Otzko, Idunn Sanden, Siemen Cuypers, Andrea Mušić and Hans-Petter Bjørnåda

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom