green-roofed town hall by henning larsen connects two communities in the faroe islands

in the faroe islands, henning larsen architects has completed a town hall that spans a river in order to connect two previously separate municipalities. measuring 750 square meters, the green-roofed town hall of eysturkommuna has been designed to completely merge with nature. the building’s terraces and roof are open to the public, with visitors welcome to bring their own picnics or swim in the river.

all images by nic lehoux

before the large neighboring factory was built, the local beach was the natural gathering point for the community. the town hall seeks to reclaim public life at the center of the village, as a way to help revive local activity. meanwhile, an exterior installation by artist jens ladekarl thomsen draws from the region’s natural sights and sounds.

the town hall spans a river in order to connect two previously separated municipalities

‘having difficulties distinguishing where the landscape ends and the building begins is a central theme in traditional faroese architecture,’ explains ósbjørn jacobsen, partner and lead design architect at henning larsen architects. ‘the town hall design was driven by the notion of this blurred line, and as such a take on modern architecture in the faroe islands.’

the green-roofed structure has been designed to completely merge with nature

the building measures 750 square meters

the region is located in close proximity to fishing factories

visitors are welcome to bring their own picnics or swim in the river

the terraces and roof are open to the public

the town hall seeks to reclaim public life at the center of the village

norðragøta is the region’s administrative center

project info:

location: the faroe islands
client: eysturkommuna
area: 750 sqm
team: engineer: spenn, veri-con, SMJ
contractor: KBH
status: built