Krøgenes Peninsula
Krøgenes (NO) - Runner-up
TEAM PORTRAIT
VIDEO (by the team)
INTERVIEW
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1. How do you define the main issue of your project in relation with the theme “Living Cities Imagining architecture taking care of the milieus”? And in which way do you think your project can contribute to an ecological and/or social evolution?
My vision for Krøgenes is to tear down the asphalt and restore the natural habitat in and around Krøgenes for people and nature to thrive together. To plan a city that is not scattered, a city that limits its footprint on the land. A city that creates a strong local community and economy. A city that lives among nature, by the water. Nature is an important part of us. Our livelihoods and well-being depend on our surroundings. By recreating Krøgenes as a green city it will change our perception of the place and it will become an attractive place to live and reside as well as a place where nature thrives. Our climate is changing and NOW it is time for us to develop existing cities that are interconnected both physically and socially, cities that give space back to nature.
2. How did the issues of your design and the questions raised by the site mutation meet?
Krøgenes is situated by the sea, but does not take advantage of its beautiful setting. Today it is dominated by big box stores and big parking lots. With the Europan competition rises a new opportunity to rethink the land - developing new communities as well as minimizing the manmade footprint by reclaiming it for nature to regenerate.
PROJECT:
In my precious projects, my main focus is on the physical social space. I believe the physical frames we create as architects influence how communities develop. I want to create better and stronger communities where we interact and care for each other. We live in a time where people feel more alone, and we as social groups feel more segregated from each other. By changing the way we interact in the physical space, I believe we can create stronger, better communities. I was inspired by some of the projects I worked on previously, that share the same identity as well as obstacles as Krøgenes, being located right next to the water but not using it as its advantage, as well as being places that has turned its back on nature. Places that have huge potential. I was also inspired by a topology developed by Vandkunsten architects i Oslo.
SITE:
I have put a lot of energy into making a step by step transformation plan of Krøgenes, both divided into landowner parts and further inter-divided within. Thereby making it possible for the landowners to transform once they are ready. Rebuilding Krøgenes with a strategic plan that gives the actors time and space to develop and are robust to changes.
5. How did you form the team for the competition and if so what are the skills you associated?
The project Krøgenes Peninsula is developed by Maria Crammond. She graduated from the Royal Danish Academy in 2015, as an architect specializing in urban planning. Nanna Vindeløv has contributed with 3D models and renders for the project. Nanna graduated as an architect in 2023 from the Royal Danish Academy, today she works at Terroir architects. We know each other from Vandkunsten Architects, where we have worked together on several projects. As I live in Chicago and Nanna lives in Denmark, we had meetings online, discussing the renders for the projects.
6. How could this prize help you in your professional career?
We are very excited about receiving our runner-up award. Europan is a fantastic opportunity to try different and new bold approaches. Personally, developing our skills without an office codex. It can furthermore be a stepping stone for new assignments, maybe even starting a new office.
TEAM IDENTITY
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Team name:
Average age of the associates: 38 years old
Has your team, together or separately, already conceived or implemented some projects and/or won any competition? if so, which ones?
In 2015, Maria Crammond participated in Europan 13 in a team with two landscape architects, where their project “Connecting Ørsta” was awarded as winner. The following year, the team worked for Ørsta municipality creating a new development plan for Ørsta. In 2021, Maria Crammond participated in Europan 16 in Fagerstrand, Norway, together with one other architects, where their project “Intertwinning Fagerstrand” got a special mention.
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