Located over 250 kilometres from the nearest land mass, it’s no wonder that rowing is the national sport of the Faroe Islands. In the self-governing country, an archipelago which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the sport’s history dates to the Viking era: Traditional Faroese boats, handcrafted from wood with a single axe, have been used for centuries, earning their rightful place in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This respect for both craft and culture is deeply embedded in the Klasvík Row Club, a facility in its namesake town’s harbour, completed by Henning Larsen in 2023.
Henning Larsen is no stranger to the Faroe Islands; it operates a satellite studio in the town of Gøta and designed in 2018. The Klasvík Row Club builds on the firm’s track record for blending its signature Scandi style with the local vernacular, which hews to simple forms that turn the spotlight towards the stunning landscape. Tucked into a fjord, and shielded from the harsh winds of the Atlantic, the new landmark is the perfect place from which to take in the sweeping views of the neighbouring islands.
The 620-square-metre structure takes formal cues from its architectural context — a multitude of pitched-roof homes nestled into the hillside. While these structures don’t shy away from colour, incorporating hues from red and orange to green, the Klasvík Row Club instead embraces a more pared-down palette, with a greyed timber façade that nods to traditional Faroese design. The green roof, meanwhile, incorporates the lush landscape into the building’s architectural language.
“Our design approach was deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of Klaksvík,” explains Ósbjørn Jacobsen, design director of Henning Larsen’s Faroe Islands office. “The sloping green roof and timber façade pay homage to the surrounding natural beauty, while also nodding to the traditional architecture of the Faroe Islands; a harmonious dialogue between the built environment and the fjord landscape.”
The warm, timber-clad interior is both a year-round training space and a public cultural hub for locals and visitors alike, hosting events, exhibitions and a place to showcase the craftsmanship of Faroese boat-making. From the floor-to-ceiling windows, athletes can look out at the fjord, as if they are rowing in the harbour.
The real magic, however, happens at the boat launch: The doors of the storage area open out onto the wooden dock, which effortlessly dips down into the water. On the dock, which wraps around the rowing club, visitors can gather to take in the action during the warmer months, while enjoying a beverage from the café inside.
“We wanted to create a space that is more than simple boat storage. The expansive doors opening onto the wooden dock and the open timber interior were designed to enhance the community use of the space,” says Jacobsen.
This community-focused ethos is one that grounds the masterplan of the entire town of Klasvík (also led by Henning Larsen), which will see a former post office converted into a cultural centre, and will also include a children’s skating rink, housing around the central plaza. The mixed-use development, now nearly 60 per cent complete, is designed to adapt over time, prioritizing pedestrian access to foster a welcoming public realm.
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