Project:
N.E.W. (NEW ERA WHARF)

Creating a catalyst is a secure way to generate a chemical reaction – in this sense, the “N.E.W. (New Era Wharf)” is the new epicentre for the valley of Rødberg, Nore and Uvdal. It acts as an urban catalyst at different levels. It is a three-story building in which each floor deals with a different strategic program. It works as a connective tissue hosting a new flux of cycling mobility that connects the main street of Rødberg with the bike path coming from Nore, passing through the lake. A traditional and local food hub offers a great experience to all the tourists to feel proud to be part of such a vibrant reality and as a multipurpose space where both formal and informal events can take place.

ARCHITECTURE

The new building has a stout and plucky position. It is placed inside the small lake of Rødberg, at the very center of the village and consequently also at the very center of Nore og Uvdal region. This decision has not been taken by chance. Water is historically the most important natural element for the settlement. By building a new construction in deep contact with it, it is possible to create a symbolical connection to the roots of Rødberg itself. The main façade of this new architecture looks directly towards the majestic main building of the old hydropower plant. This visual relationship represents a subtle bond between two buildings that inevitably have shaped and will shape the image of the village: the first one which made Rødberg’s flourish possible and the second one that hopefully will be the first petal of a future blossoming.
This new epicenter will act on different levels. It is a three–storied building in which each floor deals with a different strategical program. The first level acts as a connective tissue. A long pier links the shore to the building, but moreover it hosts a new flux of cycling mobility connecting the main street of Rødberg with the bike path coming from Nore, passing through the lake. When it reaches the building, the pier becomes a public terrace offering a unique spot from which the tour- ists can enjoy the water, the view towards the historic buildings of the hydropower plant and a 360 degree panorama on the surrounding mountain and forests. It is also a temporary exhibition space, where art, water and landscape create a unique atmosphere.

After bringing people into the building it was crucial to find an activity to resonate inside the whole valley. It was important to find an interesting function that could connect Nore og Uvdal and, of course, Rødberg. The valley has strong and ancient traditions, especially regarding agriculture. Along the river that wet this valley, there are still a lot of small farms that still produce high quality local products. A traditional and local food hub could offer a great experience to all the tourists who periodically visit, and make them feel more connected to it and proud to be a part of such a vibrant environment. This hub is meant to be a place where it will be pos- sible both to taste and buy the local products. Moreover, to give the visitors a 360 degree experience, it will also be possible to learn the traditional techniques by being in contact with the local farmers. Finally, the third floor hosts a multi purpose space where both formal and informal events can take place. This function is completely absent in Rødberg at the moment, but it could become the most important one because it creates an activity that could act as a real collector for all the second–home dwellers who live there.

The New Era Wharf offers an alternative to projects that propose multiple discrete interventions realised over time. Rather it presents a radical reimagining of Rødberg centerd on a new civic building erected on a new wharf at the western end of the lake.

This building and its connections across the lake alter the scale and center of gravity of Rødberg, providing a new focus to Rødberg poised between the reworked high street to the west and the new parkland and housing to the east. The proposal also includes carefully judged proposals for a new public realm, new housing, a charging station for electric vehicles and a new emergency center.

The jury found that the project connected with the heroic past of Rødberg as defined by its power station, to which The New Era Wharf is a contemporary counterpart. As brave and decisive as the original, it marks a new phase for Rødberg. The new building is partly town hall, venue, nursery, and social condenser, well judged in its scale and materiality and furthermore beautifully represented.

The jury enjoyed the clarity of the proposal and is confident that the project would provide a point of focus, new thinking and confidence at local, regional and national scales. As such The New Era Wharf presents an attitude to local regeneration that within the context of the other entries was fresh and of significance not just to Rødberg, but to similar towns throughout Norway.

Matteo Arietti (IT), architect
Andrea Bulloni (IT), architect
Caterina Gerolimetto (IT), contributor - landscaper
Elisa Frappi (IT), contributor - landscaper
Ilaria Sangaletti (IT), contributor - landscaper
Jacopo Breda (IT), contributor - visualizer
Beniamino Brambilla (IT), contributor - visualizer
Giulia Turatto (IT), contributor - visualizer

Europan15 publication