The beauty of the Faroe Islands lies in its dramatic hills, unspoiled moorlands, winding fjords, and bird-laden cliffs. The natural landscape has remained largely untouched for centuries, and plays a prominent role in defining the archipelago's identity. The Faroese people learned ages ago how to make the most of their natural resources and the value of respecting the environment, which explains how a newly built town hall in Nordragota on the island of Esturoy ended up looking as though it were chiseled into the landscape.
Designed by Ósbjørn Jacobsen, a partner at the Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen, the Eysturkommuna town hall is built atop a river with a greenery-filled rooftop that doubles as a pedestrian bridge. Viewers from a distance may find it hard to settle their eye on the structure, as it blends seamlessly into the landscape, almost as though it were surgically inserted beneath a thin layer of grass. "A central theme in traditional Faroese architecture is the blurred line between nature and building, the fact that the spectator has difficulties distinguishing where the landscape ends and the building begins," explains Jacobsen. "The primary conceptual idea behind the design of the town hall is driven by the notion of this fleeting line between landscape and building." Jacobsen himself is a native of the Faroe islands, and he drew upon his inherent knowledge and understanding of the environment to design the structure. He wanted the structure to take cues from the local surroundings, though he is quick to note that it does not directly replicate any existing buildings on the island. "I find it much more interesting to look into the underlying thoughts of traditional buildings," he says.
Nature is utilized inside the structure, as well. In the council chamber hall, a circular opening covered with mirrored glass provides a direct view of the stream below, giving the impression of floating above river. Situated around the opening is a circular table rather than a rectangular one; it is inspired by kivas, the ceremonial chambers of the Pueblo Native American. No one sits on the end or at the head of the table, and everyone meets on equal terms.
In addition to providing the City Council and administrative staff a place to work, the town hall is intended to revive the local community and serve as a gathering spot for everyday use and special occasions. Both the terrace and the rooftop are open to the public, and locals are invited to go for a swim; have picnics on the grass; and attend talks, lectures, exhibitions, and other programming. The scenic local beach used to serve as a gathering space, until the fishing industry exploded and a major factory was built that eradicated the community's center. Eysturkommuna town hall is the first of the additional planned spaces that aims to bring back public life.
Not only is the bridge a stunning feat of design but also a symbolic gesture. The town hall takes on the task of uniting two formerly separate municipalities into one community, covering five different settlements for a total of 2,000 people. It's also fitting that a bridge sits atop town hall—a clever motif to remind community officials of the importance of finding common ground when approaching a matter from different sides.
