Islandsberg; the site of a lighthouse

Abstract

Architecture arguably encompasses a profound understanding of context; a miscellaneous phenomenon constituted by a constellation of values, seen as a layered landscape. Through the process of writing this thesis, parts of the socalled layered landscape have been revealed and analysed to inspire the development of a proposed design. The project focuses on a remote lighthouse site, Islandsberg, located in central Bohuslän on the Swedish west coast and investigates how contextual values can affect the design process and how architecture in its physical form can answer to the context in which it is situated. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the site, a multifaceted approach is employed. Numerous site visits using various methods for documentation and analysis, continuous contact with stakeholders, and studies of local history, literature and reference projects regarding chosen subjects form the basis for our work in an effort to construct a so-called deep map of Islandsberg. Inspired by the deeply rooted local tradition of using timber in building construction, the objective of this project is to establish a looping hiking trail and create a collection of small structures that not only resonate with the site but also provide local value that enable and enhance the experience of it, drawing attention to its natural and cultural significance, while simultaneously adding a new layer to its narrative. The design includes an entrance facility, two bothies, a sheep hut and a wind shelter. The task has been to develop a structural concept to enhance the site synergistically as well as allowing different functions to interact in a considerate way. The result is presented in the final design of a proposal able to generate accessibility while also protecting the natural ecosystems and strengthening the natural environment to restore the character of the land to how it was a hundred years ago.