The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG
20/04/2019.
[Torshavn - Faroe Islands] Denmark
metalocus, ANDREA GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, ANDREA GONZÁLEZ
The new Glasir Education Centre is located among the fjords in the Faroese capital of Tórshavn, “Glasir”. The new educational center designed by Bjarke Ingels Group is the largest ever project built on the Faroe Islands and is not only a striking construction but also a symbol for a whole new idea of education.
Glasir - Tórshavn College, a 19,200m² (206,000ft²) vortex-shaped education center that combines three schools under one roof for over 1,750 students, faculty, and staff, celebrating the dramatic Faroese landscape.
Glasir - Tórshavn College, a 19,200m² (206,000ft²) vortex-shaped education center that combines three schools under one roof for over 1,750 students, faculty, and staff, celebrating the dramatic Faroese landscape.
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
Gymnasium. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
Library. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
Technical school. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
Overview. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG. Photograph by Rasmus Hjortshoj
Site plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Site plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Site plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Site plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 1 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 2 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 3 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 4 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 5 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Story 6 plan. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Program. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Level 1, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Level 2, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Level 3, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Level 4, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
Section, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
First diagram, 2009. The new Glasir Education Centre in Torshavn by BIG.
BIG won the initial design competition together with Fuglark Architects, Lemming & Eriksson, Sámal Johannesen, Martin E. Leo and KJ Elrad. Recently, BIG celebrated the opening of the Isenberg School of Management extension at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
"Inspired by the dramatic Faroese topography, Glasir is designed like a landscape for learning: the central space of the school is conceived as a topographical interpretation of the natural landscape — a continuous terraced terrain with steps and staircases that connect across several levels and merge the multistory building into a single entity."
“Each institution wraps around the space and radiates out into the landscape. In time, the autonomous parts - tailored for their respective uses - will merge into a true hybrid educational institution that doesn’t distinguish between academic and manual skills, but focuses on providing each individual with the most potent possible combo of abstract ideas and concrete skills.”
Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Creative Director, BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group.
Description of project by BIG
Located on the undulating fjords of Faroe Islands, with views to the capital Tórshavn, the sea and verdant fells, Glasir seeks to harvest the efficiencies of combining Faroe Islands Gymnasium, Tórshavn Technical College and the Business College of Faroe Islands into one building for over 1,750 students, teachers, and staff.
“This building gives us all the conditions we need to succeed. It is now our responsibility to get as much as possible from this fantastic environment. We are certain that our new surroundings will have a great impact on how teachers will teach and how students will learn.”
Bogi Bech, CEO, Glasir.
Glasir retains the autonomy and individual identity for each of the three schools while creating ideal conditions for collaboration and learning to flourish — an incubator for innovation rather than a traditional school setting. Shaped by the internal needs of the students and teachers, Glasir is conceived as a stack of five individual levels that wrap around a central courtyard: one for each of the three institutions, one for food and faculty, and one for physical exercise and gatherings. The building is organized like a vortex, with each level opening up and the top levels radiating 30m / 100ft out towards the mountainous landscape.
The main entrance of the school is accessible from a dramatic bridge due to the steep slope of the site. Students and teachers are immediately welcomed by the large circular courtyard which creates a natural gathering point across all floor levels and academic interests.
Designed as an extension and interpretation of the natural landscape, the 32m diameter indoor courtyard with terraced steps provide generous, flexible spaces for group meetings, social events, and dining, as well as auditorium seating for larger events or announcements. Above, gigantic transparent skylights shelter the space from the wind and weather of the harsh Faroese climate while allowing abundant daylight into the atrium. The inner façades between the classrooms and courtyard are realized in colored glass, providing an intuitive overview of the different functions within the building.
Cascading across several levels, the stepped topography merges the multistory building into a single entity. At the top levels, the high school and business school cantilever towards the mountain-range and moorland landscapes, creating a building that opens towards the city in all directions. The outer backdrop to the stunning Faroese landscape surrounding the education center is always visible, from the courtyard and classrooms to the gymnasium and library.
The interior material selection of stone, cast concrete, and wood with different surface treatments form a natural canvas, while the exterior choice of glass and aluminum creates a neutral background to the school’s sculptural design.
Seen from outside, the exterior glass façades are mounted in a sawtooth shingle that allows the straight elements to form a soft circular shape and blend into the natural surroundings. Over time, grass planted on the rooftops will slowly grow to allow the education center to disappear into the Faroese landscape.
More information
Architects
BIG- Bjarke Ingels Group. Partners-in-Charge.- Bjarke Ingels, Finn Nørkjær. Project Architect.- Ole Elkjær Larsen, Høgni Laksáfoss.
Project Team
Alberte Danvig, Alejandro Mata Gonzales, Alessio Valmori, Alexandre Carpentier, Annette Birthe Jensen, Armen Menendian, Athena Morella, Baptiste Blot, Boris Peianov, Camille Crepin, Claudio Moretti, Dag Præstegaard, Daniel Pihl, David Zahle, Edouard Boisse, Elisha Nathoo, Enea Michelesio, Eskild Nordbud, Ewelina Moszczynska, Frederik Lyng, Goda Luksaite, Henrik Kania, Høgni Laksáfoss, Jakob Lange, Jakob Teglgård Hansen, Jan Besikov, Jan Kudlicka, Jan Magasanik, Jeppe Ecklon, Jesper Boye Andersen, Ji-Young Yoon, Johan Cool, Kari-Ann Petersen, Kim Christensen, Kristoffer Negendahl, Long Zuo, Martin Cajade, Michael Schønemann Jensen, Mikkel Marcker Stubgaard, Niklas Rausch, Norbert Nadudvari, Oana Simionescu, Richard Howis, Sabine Kokina, Simonas Petrakas, Sofia Sofianou, Takumi Iwasawam, Tobias Hjortdal, Tommy Bjørnstrup, Victor Bejenaru, Xiao Xuan Lu.
Collaborators
Fuglark, Lemming & Eriksson, Rosan Bosch, Samal Johannesen, Martin E. Leo SP/F, KJ Elrad Radgevandi Verkfroendingar.
BIG Ideas
Tore Banke, Kristoffer Negendahl.
Client
Mentamalaradid (Ministry of Culture) / Landsverk.
Area
19,200 m² / 206,000ft².
Photography
BJARKE INGELS
Bjarke Ingels (born in Copenhagen, 1974) studied architecture at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen and at the School of Architecture of Barcelona, obtaining his degree as an architect in 1998. He is the founder of the BIG architecture studio - (Bjarke Ingels Group), studio founded in 2005, after co-founding PLOT Architects in 2001 with his former partner Julien de Smedt, whom he met while working at the prestigious OMA studio in Rotterdam.
Bjarke has designed and completed award-winning buildings worldwide, and currently his studio is based with venues in Copenhagen and New York. His projects include The Mountain, a residential complex in Copenhagen, and the innovative Danish Maritime Museum in Elsinore.
With the PLOT study, he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2004, and with BIG he has received numerous awards such as the ULI Award for Excellence in 2009. Other prizes are the Culture Prize of the Crown Prince of Denmark in 2011; and Along with his architectural practice, Bjarke has taught at Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia University and Rice University and is an honorary professor at the Royal Academy of Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen.
In 2018, Bjarke received the Knight's Cross of the Order of Dannebrog granted by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II. He is a frequent public speaker and continues to give lectures at places such as TED, WIRED, AMCHAM, 10 Downing Street or the World Economic Forum. In 2018, Bjarke was appointed Chief Architectural Advisor by WeWork to advise and develop the design vision and language of the company for buildings, campuses and neighborhoods around the world.
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