RESURFACE URBAN ECOLOGIES
EIMEAR TYNAN
LOCATION
UNDER THE SURFACE To the north of Tromsøya there lies three lakes collectively called Holmbovannene. Its position on Tromsøya has endowed it with a special identity regarding its history, geology and ecology. The lakes, namely, Rundvannet, Langvannet and Lillevannet are shallow with average depths of c2.0m. In winter time a thick layer of ice measuring approximately 1m covers these lakes alongside varying depths of snow. The site is part of the extensive green network running along the inner area of the island linking north to south.
The rocks of northern Tromsøya consists of acid gneisses called Skattøragneiss. There are some traces of amphibolite that creates a less acidic soil locally. The terrain was deglaciated some 13-14,000 years ago. Birch established around 11,500 years ago with pine and alder arriving around 7,500 years ago.
Marshland with low growing birch trees
Podzol soil
Skattøragneiss
LANGVANNET LILLEVANNET RUNDVANNET
HISTORY
HOLMBOVANNENE 1956 AND TODAY After WWI there was a growth in the fishing industry and this demanded a need for ice to preserve the fish on the trawlers. A lot of trawlers from the UK came to Tromsø for fuel and ice before returning home. The firm, W. Holmboe, ran the coal trade in Tromsø and later began ice harvesting. The firm originally collected ice from the glacier in Jøkelfjord, Kvænangen and from Evjen dam in Troms valley, but it was too cumbersome, and the capacity was too small.
1956
Ice cutting on Lillevannet
Main connections between the lakes and harbour pre WWII Main connections via cable system between the lakes and harbour post WWII
Snow clearing on Langvannet
Workers at Langvannet
Cable system used to carry ice to the harbour
Ice storage near the harbour
Production then moved to the three lakes - Rundvannet, Langvannet and Lillevannet on Tromsøya. The ice was sawed into blocks and transported 1km to the harbour via specially built wooden “runs”. After the second world war a cable system was used to transport the ice to the harbour. A lot of this sytem remains on the site today. Some of the ice was stored in a large, wooden container located near the harbour. It measured 60m (L) x 40m (W) x 12m (H). The ice was covered with 40-50cm of saw dust for insulation. It was important to have good quality ice with as few air bubbles as possible to prevent quick melting.
TODAY
Original coastline
The ice industry ended in the 1960s when refridgeration became more economical and efficient natural ice production.
Connections today are no longer visible. The original harbour area has been filled and extended. It is also Important to note the reduction in open water sytems on the the site and the addition of buildings compared to 1956.
DESIGN APPROACH
Before a design strategy was developed, a title for the project was defined. Resurface was used because its double meaning was pertinent to the site. The first meaning relates to both the ecology of the site which continuously reshapes and re-forms the site but the meaning also highlights the new uses that have established since the ice harvesting ceased. It has moved from an industrial landscape to one of recreation and leisure. The second meaning is more abstract and corresponds with the largely forgotten stories and memories of the ice industry.
DESIGN STRATEGY
The overall intention of this project is to open up the historic dialogue with the site by integrating some of the ice industry artifacts and, in particular, to follow the extensive trajectories across the site. The project also strives to accentuate the role of the water, ice and snow that transform the site throughout the seasons. The sense of seasonal change is dramatic and it reveals a fragile landscape that undergoes constant transformation. The designed interventions will encourage extended use of the area year round and invite people to reinvent the way water, ice and snow is used and enjoyed.
Resurface - to put a new coating on or re-form; - to arise or become evident again
Rundvannet- 20-feb-2014
Langvannet - 05-apr-2014
Lillevannet - 05-apr-2014
03-june -2014
21-may-2014
26-may-2014
03-june-2014
PARK COMPARISONS
CLIMATE ANALYSIS
Prevailing Summer winds
Prevailing Winter winds April
Slottsparken, Oslo Holmbovannene, Tromsø
February
WIND
SHADOWS
September
Beatrix Park, Amsterdam
Parc A. Citroën, Paris
October
Buckingham Palace Gardens, London
DESIGN PROPOSAL
DESIGN COMPONENTS Points
Platforms
Paths
SECTIONS 01--02
S2
S1
Section 01
Section 02
SECTIONS 03-04
S4
S3
Section 03
Section 04
12 MONTHS
To determine if the proposed design was appropriate to the site a simple 12 month scenario was set up to see what elements needed to be visible and usable throughout the seasons and which elements were more suited to disappear during the winter months.
jan
feb
mar
july
aug
sept
apr
may
june
oct
nov
dec
ILLUSTRATION - VIEW 01
VIEW 01 > Langvannet with an open stretch of water linking both ends of the lake, reflecting light and bringing a new texture to a homogenous surface.
ILLUSTRATION - VIEW 02
VIEW 02 > Langvannet ice festival
ILLUSTRATION - VIEW 03
VIEW 03 > Langvannet winter bathing
ILLUSTRATION - VIEW 04
VIEW 04> A boardwalk linking Langvannet to Lillevannet through the marshland
A big thank you to the following people: Margrethe Rabås, Inger Johanne Dehli, Gro Stokke, Erling Steenstrup, Johanne Lunga and Henrik Romsaas at Tromsø Kommune Reinhard Mook, Geoff Corner, Karl-Dag Vorren, Andy Sortland and Jan Höper at UiT Kjeld Nash at AT Plan & Arkitektur
A special thank you to Alf Heimland for sharing his memories and photographs of the Isrenna with me