Located roughly 300 km north of the Arctic Circle, Andenes is a quaint town of 2600 residents. Right off the coast of this small town is a sea valley called Bleikdjupa, an area known as one of the world’s top destinations for catching a glimpse of migrating whales as they pass by.
Designed by Danish studio Dorte Mandrup, The Whale is a visitor attraction that aims to enhance the heart of whale-watching. Rather than fighting against the landscape, the building works in harmony with the ocean. In addition, the building promotes conservation and awareness regarding whales and the environment as a whole.
Recently a participant in an international competition, Dorte Mandrup’s The Whale was hailed the winner while beating out 37 teams. As the CEO of the project, Borre Beglund, puts it, “The project from Dorte Mandrup is a clear winner and meets the competition criteria in the best way. It is poetic and low-key and at the same time a very exciting and unusual building.”
The unique building rises upon the ocean shore like a soft hill. The Whale exemplifies how architectural structures can integrate with the surrounding environment in such a natural and pleasant way. As the structure is situated along the hills and curvaceous landscapes of the island, The Whale perfectly blends together natural beauty and architectural elegance.
Based on the artistic qualities of whales themselves, the roof of The Whale curves up gradually, resembling the backside of a whale extending out above the water. As the structure meanders with its nature-like appeal, it works in harmony with the surrounding landscape—providing impeccable views of the ocean. The roof of The Whale is composed of strategically placed stones, which allow visitors to walk across the structure to soak in the surrounding beauty. While getting 360-degree views on top of the structure, viewers get the opportunity to witness passing whales, the midnight sun and even the northern lights.
The interior will be filled with a store, cafe, offices and exhibition spaces. To fit the theme of the piece, the building won’t include any columns, which offers an ample amount of space in its self-supporting structure.
With 50,000 people visiting Andenes every single year, The Whale will encourage even more people to visit and witness one of nature’s greatest sights. And while the project is aimed at its architectural achievements given the unique landscape, The Whale is designed to increase the understanding and preservation of whales and all marine life. Dorte Mandrup feels a great deal of responsibility with this project, and also feels very motivated and inspired to complete the structure.
As the structure may seem subtle and less profound in terms of mass, its elegance and hints of majesty aim to be a clear depiction of the graceful marine life found below the ocean’s surface.
