On behalf of shipowner Holmøy Maritime, Snøhetta has designed Holmen Industrial Area, a sophisticated 6,000 square meter fishing facility situated on the eastern side of Sortlandssundet in Northern Norway.
The new facility blurs the distinction between the rawness of the fishing industry with a corporate allure by merging Holmøy Maritime’s fish farming business and the company’s headquarters into four, distinctive buildings.
Oriented toward a first-class 126-meter-wide deep-water harbour plunging into the Norwegian Sea, the buildings are organized to facilitate activities at sea and on the mainland while also safeguarding and respecting the surrounding pristine North Norwegian landscape.
The Holmen Industrial Area is inspired by the changing light conditions and spectacular landscape of Vesterålen and is organized in simple rectangular shapes that camouflages in- and outgoing traffic from boats and trucks that shuttle between the facility, the sea and the mainland.
By creating an open space with large windows, the facility allows for a maximum of daylight to penetrate the building while also providing beautiful views overlooking the sea. The design also reduces the need for artificial lighting and heating, contributing to a better indoor climate and a more sustainable building.
Functional materials such as an aluminium façade cladding and concrete floors have been chosen for their aesthetic and durability, and create a contrast to the colourful details of the facility.
Warm colours ranging from red, subdued orange, yellow and green create a playful contrast to the sky, ocean and mountains of Vesterålen and distinguish themselves to the otherwise subdued metallic grey colour and materiality of the facility and subtle wayfinding elements both on the inside and outside of the facility.
The bright colour palette is also translated into the interior design – from the construction itself to interior elements. The colours create a warm atmosphere contrasting with the light ash and birch woodwork of the ceiling battens, wall panels, flooring and fixed and lose furnishings, adding a touch of playfulness to the breathtaking views of the shifting and dramatic scenery outside.
To view more about the project, visit Snøhetta's website.
