Displaced building volumes break the dominant south-east and north-west winds in Klaksvík and contribute to providing new comfortable shelter zones in the city. The new urban space is based on a star-shaped structure where the centre of the star constitutes the new sheltered city square. The pointed shape ensures that the new urban space is rooted in the existing city.
Conversely, it also brings the surrounding city space, green areas, canals and beach spaces into the new square.Klaksvík City Centre consists of a continuous system of paths that connects the three districts built around different themes: a green, recreational area; an urban development with a central, unifying city square and shops, cafes, a library, public offices, residences etc.; a maritime district with a cultural house, a maritime museum, cafes, shops, residences etc. along the new promenade.
Data from accessible local measurements, local experience and knowledge have been incorporated in the project. Klaksvík is situated in an area where two inlets meet, only separated by a low-lying area that brings together the city. The city is situated on two opposite mountain ridges where the rainy, southern winds occur more often than the cold, northern winds.
Due to the two mountain ridges situated opposite each other from the south-east towards the north-west, the centre of Klaksvík is particularly exposed to winds from these two directions.
The perception of comfort and wind environment is subjective and cannot be quantified unambiguously. The displaced building volumes break the dominant winds and create comfortable shelter zones in the city. With more detailed, local measurements, it is possible to adjust the volumes and thus climatically optimise the building stock. Desciption of Hanning Larsen architects.
Location: Klaksvik, Faroe Islands