Modern boathouse for the Arctic ship "Aarvak"

We are very pleased with the final result, says Chairman of the Board of Ishavsmuseet, Ottar Haakonsholm.
Together with the project partners, he launched the plans for the new building on September 7. A 12-13 meter high building with a floor area of ​​550 square meters that will eventually house the Arctic ship "Aarvak" from Brandal. One of two existing Arctic ships in Norway today.
– The idea is that the building should have a protective effect, it should function as a kind of cover. At the same time, it should be an object that will arouse interest, says civil architect Oddhild Fausa from the architectural firm Solheim og Søvik AS, which has been responsible for the plans.
Modern
According to the company, it has been important to create a modern building that will also tell something about what is inside the walls. They have solved this by using large glass surfaces on parts of the walls, so that it is possible to see in from the outside. The masts on the barge are also very high, so the solution has been to let them go through the roof. In addition, a pier towards the sea has also been included in the drawings.
"Aarvak" is currently in poor condition, and a great deal of work remains before it is fully restored. The new building has been designed so that this work can continue in the new premises.
Multiple purposes
“This is primarily a conservation building,” says regional conservator Ivar Gunnar Braaten, but he also believes that the new addition to the Ishavsmuseet can be used for exhibitions and other purposes.
– It will be important to link communication elements to film footage and sound. We will have the opportunity to experience being in the ice to a much greater extent than today, he believes.
– The building will give Brandal and the Ishavsmuseet a much greater weight as an attraction for visitors than it does today, says Haakonsholm.
Autumn next year
The costs of the project are so far estimated to be around six million kroner. The financing is not yet ready, but work will begin next week to lay the financial foundation for the fashionable boathouse. The museum, which targets both private and public stakeholders, has received signals from the Storting that the construction plans may receive support from the state budget.
“The project will represent the Arctic environment in all of southern Norway,” says Haakonsholm, who has ambitions to start construction work during the autumn of next year. If all goes as hoped, the building should be completed in early 2006. The drawings have already been approved by both the municipality and the county conservator.
The Arctic ship "Aarvak" was built in 1912, and arrived in Brandal in 1916. The ship had its last voyage in 1981, and was then condemned. The Ishavsmuseet Aarvak Foundation took care of the ship and protected it. In 1998, the boat was put ashore at Brandal.