Fish scales and ganite tales
Description
Carving the coastal narrative of Bømlo
How can Bømlo’s industrial fishing harbor that detaches from other parts of the community, be utilized to integrate tourism, community, and industry? As a landscape architect, I want to play a role in this massive development by creating spaces for locals and tourists, allowing people to participate in this transformation, not just the large-scale fishing and industry.
digital_exhibition_thea_brendesaeter.jpg
The project focuses on the development of a large industrial fishing harbor in Bømlo, which significantly alters the island’s unique geological landscape by creating leveled surfaces and reclaimed land in the sea.
Traditionally, Bømlo’s fishing industry and geology have been vital, but the shift to larger vessels impacts the natural terrain and detaches the community from its historical roots. The project aims to integrate tourism, the local community, and the fishing industry, using surplus stone from the construction for new social spaces that blend cultural and historical elements. Proposed interventions include creating communal areas, bathing spots, fishing locations, and recreational zones, promoting interaction between residents and the maritime environment.
Parts of my project focuses on facilitating various interactions by strategically utilizing the surplus stone masses left after blasting. Significant portions of the project are designed to incorporate these stones as both construction foundations and surface materials.
After large parts of the natural landscape have been blasted away, I aim to restore some areas along the waterfront. Heather, particularly Bømlo’s proud species, thrives in the sparse soil along the coast. This restoration will help reintroduce elements of the natural landscape that were destroyed.
Proposed interventions include the creation of social spaces intertwined with cultural and historical elements, providing opportunities for engagement, reflection, and communal gatherings. Interactions between people and water - bathing areas, fishing spots.
Inspired by the aesthetics of English romantic parks, the project’s design features fishing boats, trailers, and factory buildings as modern counterparts to traditional follies. The sightlines are meticulously curated, drawing attention to the majestic mountains and glaciers on the horizon.
This project, while relatively small in scale compared to broader development initiatives, serves as a gateway to explore Bømlo’s captivating history, geology, and landscape firsthand. Visitors can immerse themselves in the experience by physically interacting with the rocks, swimming in the sea, strolling along the imposing wall, and observing local production activities.