The architects at Henning Larsen are building a new ferry terminal in Torshavn, which is expected to be completed by 2024. It will also serve as the headquarters of the ferry company Smyril Line. The intention is to give the port back to the inhabitants of the capital of the Faroe Islands.
The architects at Henning Larsen are building a new ferry terminal in Torshavn, which is expected to be completed by 2024. It will also serve as the headquarters of the ferry company Smyril Line. The intention is to give the port back to the inhabitants of the capital of the Faroe Islands.
The ferry terminal is to fulfill three functions on a total of 7,750 square meters. These are the terminal itself, a logistics center and an office building for Smyril Line employees. A public ramp was designed so that the general public can also use part of the building. It serves as an open space and connection to the eastern harbor. For many inhabitants of the Faroe Islands, the harbor is a place marked by memories; after all, it was considered the gateway to the rest of the world of the small island state. Many people associate the harbor with a personal history, romantic walks and painful farewells.
Due to security measures as part of the Schengen Agreement, the port was not accessible to the public for a long time. In their design, Henning Larsen Architects strictly separated the cargo from the passengers and were thus able to circumvent the strict regulations in the future passenger area. Ultimately, the historic promenade will be reconnected with the capital Torshavn. Visually, the building blends into the tranquil landscape. The flat structure is dominated by wood. It was modeled on the traditional wooden boats of the Faroe Islands, which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The logistics are located in a concrete base. The solid base of Henning Larsen’s design takes up the idea of the landing stages on the islands, which protrude from the water and usually end at a small wooden house.
Smyril Line not only serves the Faroe Islands, but also Denmark and Iceland. The international company commissioned Henning Larsen Architects to build a terminal that not only serves as an arrival and departure point, but also as a stopover. The aim is to create a pleasant atmosphere for transit passengers. The design for the new ferry terminal takes into account the harsh Nordic weather conditions as well as the different seasons of the Faroe Islands. A two-storey arrivals hall provides space for a café, a waiting area and logistical and organizational infrastructure. The upper area is connected to the public ramp, which is also open to visitors. From the ramp, there is an extensive view of the harbor and the docking and departing ships.
Local plants are used on the ramp itself to bring the typical landscape into the building to a certain extent. There is also a private garden in the office wing of the Smyril Line ferry terminal. Connected to this is an open canteen, which will also serve as a quiet retreat for employees. According to Henning Larsen Architects’ construction schedule, the terminal will open as early as 2024. The design phase is now officially complete and construction can begin.
XDGA in the Belgian city of Ghent shows what else can be accommodated in a port. Here, a former dock was converted into a school.
