Åfjord is located a couple of hours by bus and ferry from Trondheim, the second largest Norwegian city (population 200,000), 600 kilometers north of Oslo.
Åfjord has spectacular nature, close to the sea. The region has very interesting vernacular wooden architecture. But Åfjord's centre, Arnes, was developed last century, with a mix of styles, and very little good urban design, so this is an opportunity to "invent" a new architectural character for the new village, with some inspiration from regional rural and village architecture.
The plan will be rather small-scale, aiming for maybe a couple of thousand residents, retail, culture and public buildings.
Course participants will be offered to participate actively in the design process (urban design and proposals for architectural codes, with examples), so there will be every opportunity for both theoretical input from lectures and tours, and hands-on practice.
Åfjord, looking towards the sea. The village is at bottom right.
Preliminary event
Arne Sødal and Erling Okkenhaug of INTBAU Scandinavia visited in April for a two day pre-charrette seminar with key local stakeholders, the mayor, council, bank, business association etc. The organisers will return in July for detailed planning of the charrette. A report with images from the pre-charrette seminar, attended by 70 of the 1,630 inhabitants of the municipality, is available at
afjord.net/images/stories/2009/april_09/arnes_april_09.pdf (PDF, 970Kb).
Members of the public view a sketch plan produced at the preliminary workshop.
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Location
INTBAU European Charrrette Training Programme
This event is a pilot project of INTBAU's European Charrrette Training Programme, a new joint venture by INTBAU and other partners. Further detail of the ECI will be available in due course.
Travel
Evje is about 40km west of Hynnekleiv railway station to Oslo (6.5 - 7.5 hours). Oslo can be reached from across Europe by rail via Sweden. Kristiandsand also has an international airport and connections (many via Oslo) to all major European cities. Travel from Trondheim return to Åfjord will be provided by the organisers, by arrangement.
There are several direct international connectons, including London Stansted - Trondheim with Norwegian airlines, www.norwegian.no.
Recommended arrival in Trondheim: Saturday September 5, as we will have lectures and tours for international participants on Sunday 6 September 6, before the charrette starts on Monday morning 7 September.
Recommended departure from Trondheim airport: September 12 (or later of course if you prefer to stay on).
There is an overview of direct connections at www.avinor.no.
Connections via Oslo are no problem, as there is basically a flight from Gardermoen - Trondheim every hour all day. For further advice regarding travel to Norway and connections to Trondheim, please contact Audun Engh at the address below.
NOTE: If connecting in Oslo, please be aware that some flights including those by Ryanair go to Oslo Torp airport - TRP - 160 kilometers from Oslo Airport Gardermoen, and linked to it by a bus that takes up to 3 hours. There are however connecting flights from Torp to Trondheim with Wideroe Airlines.
Accommodation
Accommodation will be at the Fosen Fjord Hotel, Åfjord, where we will hold the charrette and short course. It is located at the charrette site. Accommodation for participants in shared rooms is provided free by the local business association, to whom many thanks. Participants can upgrade to single room for only 1000 NOK for 7 - 8 nights.
Registration fees
There will be a registration fee, not yet finalised, of approximately £400. Scholarships will be available for students and international participants, by application to INTBAU Scandinavia. Further information will be available shortly.
Please note participants will be responsible for their own travel and some subsistance in Norway. But as the charrette is funded by the local community, and they will provide a free venue for the course, costs will be kept as low as possible for participants. For further information please contact Audun Engh at the address below.
Links
Municipal web site, in English with some statistics:
www.afjord.kommune.no/sitepageview.aspx?sitePageID=2381
Images, mostly nature and some vernacular architecture:
www.afjord.kommune.no/sitepageview.aspx?sitePageID=1829
Picasa album, nature, buildings, people:
picasaweb.google.no/aanfno789/FJORD#
Further information
Audun Engh
Secretary
INTBAU Scandinavia
St Olavs Gate 9
N-0165 Oslo
NORWAY
Tel: +47-92-62-26-26
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