a f o r t r e s s i s f o r ta k i n gb y L i v M a r i t D ø n n e M s ø y s e t h a n D s i r i M y r e D a L L u D v i g s e n

D i p l o m a p r o j e c t / b e r g e n s c h o o l o f a r c h i t e c t u r e 2 0 1 2

a f o r t r e s s i s f o r ta k i n g- rethinking the future of three abandoned military landscapes in the Bergen region

this is the story about three abandoned military landscapes - an airport built by the germans during the second World War on the island of herdla, an air-raid shelter underneath the city of bergen, and an old fortress once guarding the city’s harbour - each a part of the history of war. together they are representatives of a larger phenomenon of military landscapes whose value is floating between worthless waste and valuable collective memory. rethinking the future of these landscapes implies to transcend the historical value and make visible the potential of these leftover spaces.

But first, another tale. Walking upon a path you come across a riddle. Once, there was something made to withstand the fire of enemies, something strong and powerful, built to be invincible. But the enemies are gone, and its powers are crumbling. grass and moss covers its vanishing muscles and birds are nesting where canons used to be. the riddle lies not in what it once was, but in what it might become.

this project investigates the possibilities and qualities of abandoned military landscapes. recognising this as a worldwide phenomenon, the project seeks to give a broad introduction to the theme and then in the second phase develop specific projects in a Norwegian context. The project argues that the true value of the military landscapes lies in their potential as public spaces.

the idea of war goes back as far as the origins of man. Protecting us and ours against others surely entails the demol-ishing of the other. in this way war, soldiers and the military as a whole are associated with destruction, degeneration and death. the idea of the military as promoters of life may therefore strike us as ironic. the military apparatus raison d‘ ètre is protection. Protection has normally been understood as protection of property, land or, in modern times, people. When looking at history there is a tendency where land that has been subject to military occupation - then been abandoned by its creators - has become protected islands that has evaded the general development of society. the military does not usually set out to protect nature or create surplus spaces in the city, but in effect the military produces both rural and urban retreats. this development has gone on nearly unnoticed. for strategically and functional reasons the space-con-suming military territories are usually placed at the outskirts of urban areas. but as the pressure on land increases, the urban areas expand, and in the end enclose these territories. In search of keeping an important strategic position that can accommodate the militaries need, the solution becomes inevitable: abandoning these islands and leaving vast areas behind. Slowly a process of re-discovering and re-conquering starts, and new and often unexpected users inhabit these landscapes. The landscapes have become pockets of retreat - exempted from the evolution of urbanism they are a surprisingly surplus landscape. together with the vast land areas the military also leave their structures and objects behind. Rejected by many as crude, ugly, dark and unfitted for any activity these installations become surplus spaces, a parallel world withdrawn from the rules of commercialism. What the installations and landscapes have in common is that they were never intended for this use. the preservation of land is an unintended consequence produced but not planned by the military. these retreats, regardless of their original function, were absorbed by a need for un-programmed spaces.

REMOVAL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVMIGRATIONthe disapperance of

activities

the creation of voids at the boarder of a city

political desicion

the transformation of landscapes

the insertion of unfamiliar objects or

installations

inherent logic of the army

the deserting military forces

the abandon landscapeor the leftovers

inherent logic

the deserted landscape is re-conquered

the invation of non-military users and the creation of retreats

unplanned effect or bi-product

FROM MILITARY TERRITORY TO SURPLUS SPACE

1. 2. 3. 4.

reMovaL

the disappearance of activities

the creation of voids at the border of a city

transforMation

the transformation of landscapes

the insertion of unfamiliar objects or installations

Migration

the deserting military forces

the abandoned landscape or the leftovers

initiativ

the deserted landscape is re-conquered

the invation of non-military users and the creation of retreats

t h e i r o n i C e f f e C t s o f M i L i ta r y L a n D s C a P e s

s v e r r e s b o r g

visitorstourists

dogslocals

s i t u at i o n sverresborg lies on top of a hill east of bergen harbour, overlooking the city. it is considered a cultural heritage site and connected to bergenhus fortress and museum. the area is military owned, but used as a public park. it is central in the district of sandviken, and a close neighbour to bergen kjøtt - a studio for artists and musicians. the

grounds below the hill and bergenhus fortress is used as a cultural arena and for large international concerts.

b a C k g r o u n D The first Sverresborg in Bergen was built in 1184 on the top of Holmen after the battle of fimreite. it was named after king sverre sigurdsson, and served as the kings castle at the time. king sverre died in his sickbed in sverresborg in 1202.

h i s to r y sverresborg was a part of bergenhus fortress and a part of the protection of the shipping lane of vågen. its original layout was made of ring-walls in stone while the buildings inside were mainly made of wood. in its time it was probably the largest fortress in norway. the struggle for power continued long after king sverres death, and in 1206 his enemies - baglerne - attacked the fortress. sverresborg was rebuilt by håkon Jarljust to once more be thorn down by the baglers. the destroying and the rebuilding of the fortress went on up to the 17th century and it’s the remains from that period that makes the foundation of today’s sverresborg. in the mid 19th century sverresborg was separated from Bergenhus Fortress. Sverresborg was made into a park with some restrictions in the 1830. In 1872 Bergenhus Fortress was officially shut down as an operative fortress. During the WW11 the Nazis had two anti-aircraft batteries at Sverresborg. After the WWII-trials, eight German and Norwegian traitors were executed on Sverresborg.

TODAY The area is officially a park, though not commonly used by the locals. Most visitors are tourists come to see the fortress, or people who’s walking their dog. it serves as a shortcut between bontelabo and sandviken. Part of the hill is fenced off to separate the military facilities from the public park. The english park landcaped in the 1830s was negelcted in the 1930s and destroyed during the German occupation. Since then little has happened, and the park is merely a grass plain surrounded by trees.

S v e R R e S B O R G 6 0 ° 2 4 ’ 4 . 7 8 ” N 5 ° 1 9 ’ 1 5 . 4 9 ” e

sverresborg

o v e r L o o k i n g t h e h a r b o u r

M a n - M a D e L a n D s C a P e

t h e s to n e h o u s e a n D t h e f o r t r e s s o f s to n e

1:1 sketch on site

1 : 1 t h e P e r i s C o P e

by using the elevator platform as a stage the concert space can host up to 35 sitting guests or approximately 70 standing guests.

by opening all of the doors the elevator house can function as a stage for outdoor concerts.

The concert space can be used as an exhibition space. or as a rehearsal space for local musicians. the park is kept as a recreational park open for the public.

aLternative use

outDoor ConCert

inDoor ConCert

1:500

Consert downstairs

Consert upstairs

Other use/art exhibiton

1:500

Consert downstairs

Consert upstairs

Other use/art exhibiton

1:500

Consert downstairs

Consert upstairs

Other use/art exhibiton

P r o g r a M

the project is a small concert and perfor-mance area for the growing music scene in Bergen. Following an archeological excavation, the project is dug into the fortress grounds. the project is dug out of mass, with small openings giving a periscopic view of the city. an untraditional elevator also functioning as the performance area underlines a vertical movement and creates possibilities for both indoor and outdoor concerts.

W o o D e n W a L L s

h y D r u a L i C e L e v ato r

D o o r s

s ta i r s

e n t r a n C e

The ground entrance connects the concert space to the park. Its surface is covered by brass and its interior is as a continuation of the main room inside made up of concrete.

the hydralic elevator takes the spectator or the artist down to the concert room. Made of brass and metal.

the wooden walls contains a bar, a seating area and a warderobe. its apperance is determined by the massive wood elements but it has cracks and openings like a secret wall.

The stairs lead you down and into Sverresborg. Underneath the stairs there are toilets and other facilites. The stairs are made of concrete and covered by wooden panels inside for a softer acoustical experience.

the doors can be opened so that the elevator house is totally open. in this way the hydraulic elevator can be used as a stage on sverresbog as well. the doors are made out of glass covered with brass pipes.

L i g h t f r o M a b o v e i n s i D e t h e C o n C e r t s Pa C e

a a

b

b

s e C t i o n a - a

P L a n o n to P o f s v e r r e s b o r g

a a

b

b

s e C t i o n b - b

P L a n i n s i D e s v e r r e s b o r g

to W a r D s t h e e n t r a n C et h e b a r

r e C r e at i o n

installations of brass pipes

the bridge

entrances to the concert space

After serving as a military fortress for centuries Sverresborg was transformed into a landscape park in the 1830s. The landscape park was influenced by the english landscaping tradition with curving paths and exotic plants and trees.

the recreation of sverresborg is a invitation for people to discover, play, be with their friends or alone. the park is once more filled with different trees, spatial installations and benches. The installations can be used as rooms inside the forest, a place to hide or as a background for the view. the brigde connecting the two parts of the park is hovering over the ground leading into the trees and the park.

f r o M a D i s ta n C e v i e W f r o M r ot t h a u g e n P r i M a r y s C h o o L

t h e a i r - r a i D s h e Lt e r b y h o L b e r g s a L L M e n n i n g e n

paintball

s i t u at i o n the air-raid shelter in holbergsallmenningen, bergen, is situated between Jon smørs gate and holbergsalmenningen, underneath the district of nordnes.

h i s to r y after the World War ii the norwegian government amongst others saw the need for protection for the civil population in case of an hostile attack. being a part of nato as well as norway’s strategical position between west and east bordering ussr in the north, there was a public demand that something had to be done. the solution was as old as the human race, but actually brought to Norway by the enemy. During the German occupation the Nazis had excavated a large amount of tunnels and underground systems used for protection of people as well as equipment, food and supplies. in norwegian a large amount of these shelters were built in the mountains. these shelters laid the foundation for the norwegian bomb shelters.

u s e to D ay Today there are approximately 25 000 bomb shelters in Norway with the capacity of 2,5 million people. The bomb shelters are classified from A to C where A can withstand atomic warfare. In bergen almost all of the public bomb shelters can be found in the mountains. the government has decided that bomb shelters can be used for other purposes during peace time and today most of the bomb shelters in bergen are rented out to private organisations. the air-raid shelter at holbergsalmmeningen was built in 1962. it is today owned by the municipality and rented out to a privat organisation who uses the shelter as a paint ball court.

A I R - R A I D S H e lT e R 6 0 ° 2 3 ’ 3 6 , 9 4 ” N 5 ° 1 9 ’ 1 0 , 6 9 ” Ø

Jon sMørs gate

hoLbergsaLLMenningen

s i t e P h oto s W a L k i n g t h r o u g h

1:1 sketch on site

1 : 1 t h e L i g h t W a L L

passage

rooms

event

passage

rooms

event

passage

rooms

event

passage

rooms

event

passage

rooms

event

passage

rooms

event

the tunnel will be opened as a passage from Jon smørs gate and holbergsallmenningen, providing and alternative infrastructure to bergen.

individual rooms throughout the tunnel offer unprogrammed spaces for small groups of people who wish to practice activities like music, writing, dancing, acting, running and relaxing.

Both rooms and passage can be utilized for events.

P r o g r a M

Passage

rooMs

event

a black metal ramp and doorframe closes the gap between the membrane and the room inside. the door frame cuts through the membrane, forming a clear and independent entrance.

a metal skeleton forms the foundation for the wall, it is supported by a spine that contains the light source and electrical wires. the spine is then connected to metal wires, suspending the structure from the tunnel ceiling.

each room is supported by pillars from the ground, and is separate from the light membrane and skeletal construction hanging grom the ceiling. two pillars are hollow, providing ventilation for the room inside.

A semi-transparent, synthetic, textured membrane makes up the light-wall. to preserve an inner climate, the membrane consists of three layers when it contains a room. the light emitting from the wall varies depending on distance from the light source, and the character of the room inside.

M e ta L s P i n e M e M b r a n e f L o o re n t r a n C e

t h e r o o M W i t h o n e ta b L e a n D t W o C h a i r s

the room is small, with just enough room for three pieces of furniture. The floor makes the new room, while the walls are the inside of the membrane.

t h e a C o u s t i C a L r o o M

t h e r o o M f o r s e e i n g

s P i r a L s ta i r s a n D n at u r a L L i g h t

t h e r o o M f o r s e e i n g

this room is for watching. an image, a video is projected onto one membrane wall. since the membrane is semi transparent, the projected image will be visible from the outside as well. the image is the light source; when there is no projection, the room inside and outside will be dark. the room is situated in the largest part of the tunnel.The floor is terraced and furnished with moveable cushion chairs.

t h e a C o u s t i C a L r o o M

the sound room is made of whole sheets of thin plywood and supported by a wooden skeleton. This is inspired by the construction of the resonance box of a guitar, made to enhance soundwaves by reverbating walls and a carefully shaped support sytem. The strings spanning from floor to ceiling produces a low pitched sound when played, and the soundwaves released into the air will resonnate with the room. the strings are both taught metal wires and electro luminescent wires which emit light when activated by a small electrical current.

t h e e n t r a n C e s a n D s P i r a L s ta i r s C a s eThe tunnel originally had the exit by Jon Smørs gate inside a parking garage. A new opening is made in the building, the menbrane forming a narrow passage until it reaches the main body of the air-raid shelter. the other entrance by holbergsallmenningen, the membrane twists to make a roof, and the ground surface is changed to gravel. this makes an auditory change in the street and underlines the invitation of the membrane roof.

halfway through the tunnel, a set of spiral stairs forms a new opening towards the pedestrian street above. the opening emits a column of natural light. the large, bright space is a contrast to the tunnels small, dark interior.

h e r D L a

reserves for birdsbird watchers

livestockfarmers

visitorschurch goers

sports on land sports off land

s i t u at i o n herdla is an island situated at the north end of askøy municipality, norway. the island is approximately 1,6 square kilometres large and in 2003 there were registered 85 persons over 18 years old with a permanent residency at herdla.

n at u r e The island is almost completely flat with the highest point reaching barely 40 meters above sea level. the withdrawal of the glaciers during the last ice age left huge amounts of deposits of sand and earth that we see today as long beaches and flat agricultural land. These unique natural conditions has made Herdla a popular breeding place for birds. the amount of birds together with the unique marine and wetland areas lead to the establishing of a 3,1 square kilometres nature reserve in 1985. The nature reserve makes Herdla a popular destination for both birdwachers as well as other visitors.

f e s t u n g h e r D L a Herdla fort and airport was established in 1940 as a part of a general strategy to defend the coastline of norway. in the thirties the norwegian government made plans for an airport at Herdla but it was the Nazis that finally executed the plans. Before 1943 when Gossen by Molde was built, herdla was the only operative airport between stavanger and trøndelag. its position was strategically important - situated in the middle of the shipping lane the shipping and air traffic could be efficiently monitored and therefore protecting the valuable submarine stations in bergen.

t h e f o r t a n D t h e a i r P o r t is situated between hjeltefjorden and herdlafjorden. the airport is situated on the north part of the island. The terrain here is flat with the fjord on both sides and perfect for an airport. here there are still some visible structures after the WWii. in the north end there are the remains of two split hangers that were used for storage of ammunition and fuel.

H e R D l A 6 0 ° 3 4 ´ 0 ” N 4 ° 5 7 ´ 0 ” e

bergen

herDLa

the Waiting

Minus a roof anD a WaLL

fraMing the horizon

1:1 sketch on site

1 : 1 t h e M o v i n g M a C h i n e s

W i n t e r suggestion of a sheltered placement. the sauna and showers are connected, as is the bar and the wardrobe

s u M M e r suggestion of an open placement. the sauna floats on the ocean.

wardobetoilet+tub+tub barshower+sauna

P r o g r a M

a beach bar and sauna is placed inside a former split hangar near the beach. the idependent rooms, formed as carriages on rails: toilets, showers, sauna, bar and wardrobe. The variations in climate and activity is reflected in the position of the different rooms. Winter, with a harsh climate and low activity suggests a more sheltered placement then summer’s open and individual placement. the possibilities are numerous. While the sauna and bathtubs can be placed in the water, the toilets remain fixed in place with the water source and power outlet. The bar can be almost completely open in summer, or closed on either side depending on the wind direction. In winter the now superflous wardrobe can be connected with the bar to form a larger indoor area.

s P r i n g the migratory birds arrive by the thousands, causing a rise in the number of bird watchers and hikers.

s u M M e r the fine beach and calmer climate attracts beach goers and other summer strollers.

a u t u M n the migratory birds leaving the country arrive agin in massive flocks, causing an increased human activity.

W i n t e r a season low in activity and hard in climate

s i t u at i o n P L a n

W a r M a n D C o L D t h e s a u n a i n t h e o C e a n

t t

sh sh sa sa

b

W

b

W

P L a n W i n t e r P o s i t i o n

to i L e t s : s e C t i o n t- t

b a r : s e C t i o n b - b W a r D r o b e : s e C t i o n W- W

s h o W e r s : s e C t i o n s h - s h s a u n a s e C t i o n s a - s a

Detail of bathtub and tap.

Detail of power outlet

Wat e r a n D e L e C t r i C i t y

Water: the main water outlet is connected to the toilet building which have an external tap and a water heater. from this tap, the bathtubs and both the bar and the shower’s water container can be filled. The containers will be filled regularly, though they are large enough to sustain visitors with water for quite a while.

electricity: both when the buildings are retrated into the hangar, or when they are stationed further out, electricity is available through periscopic power outlets. these outlets are placed at three points between the rails for the bar and the showers. This gives the rooms flexibility in placement and a constant supply of electricity. the wardrobe has no access to water or electricity, as this room can manage without.

s e a s o n a L C h a n g e

W i n C h a n D r a i L s

Like the abondoned military landscapes the facades changes apperance after what season it is; over the years the facades will become more and more a part of nature. leafs becomes dirt, dirt becomes moss, and from dirt and moss flowers will spring to die in the autumn, to be covered by winters snow.

neW one year five years

WinterautuMn

ten years

suMMersPring

the rooms run on rails, and are portable. towards the sea, there is a natural slope which helps the carriages roll outwards. each carriage can be attached to a winch at the southern wall of the hangar to roll the carriage back again.

at n i g h t s h e Lt e r e D i n s i D e t h e h a n g a r