Notable architecture festival comes to Norrbotten 

This summer, Norrbotten will be visited by Arknat – the internationally acclaimed festival where architecture meets nature. Region Norrbotten will host students from architecture schools around the world creating three unique windbreaks along the Solanderleden trail.

Since its inception in 2017, Arknat has been recognized for its concept where students, municipalities, business and civil society collaborate to develop places that promote local businesses, outdoor life and sustainability. The projects result in innovative wooden weather protection, open to everyone to use and experience.

– Through co-creation and innovative thinking, Arknat creates the conditions for more people to find their way to Norrbotten's nature. We see that the windbreaks can be the beginning of something new, partly through more similar initiatives around our county, and partly through rural and business development where they are placed, says Maja Nordmark, strategist at Region Norrbotten.

Important hiking trail

Region Norrbotten's hosting involves coordinating meetings and communication around Arknat, welcoming and inaugurating the windbreaks, and helping with local contacts.

– The Solanderleden is an important regional hiking trail that stretches through both Luleå and Piteå municipalities. It is especially nice that Arknat gives us the opportunity to work together with both municipalities, local associations and the local business community in a concrete project, says Carolina Weinz, project manager Arctic Design Center at Region Norrbotten.

23 miles of varied landscape

The Solanderleden trail is 23 km long and stretches from the village of Kallax south of Luleå to Jävre south of Piteå. It offers a unique combination of coastal landscapes, deep forests, rivers, marshlands and cultural-historical environments dating back 5000 years. When the unique windbreaks are complete, they will be managed by the non-profit association Solanderleden.

 The Solanderleden trail goes past Högberget in Jävre - maybe there will be a windbreak here?

– Arknat's construction of windbreaks is of great value to the trail and the countryside along the trail. Arknat increases the trail's attractiveness for regional and national, but also international visitors, thereby benefiting the tourism industry directly along the trail and indirectly other service companies around the trail and in the municipalities, says Hansi Gelter, chairman of the association.

 Arknat has previously built windbreaks in Skåne, Västervik, along the Sörmlandsleden trail and in Robertsfors, but has never been as far north as Norrbotten.

– We are so looking forward to our weeks in Norrbotten! To experience the varied nature of the landscape and create new places for the public to use and – we hope – appreciate. Our windbreaks create unique places that unite architecture and nature. Places for peace, protection, inspiration and togetherness – we can't have too many of those, says Martin Björklund, founder of Arknat.

The wind shelter Gästabudet is a result of Arknat in Sörmland. Photo: Tommie Svanström Ohlson.

Both Luleå Municipality and Piteå Municipality are positive about Arknat coming to Norrbotten.

– Arknat puts Piteå on the map and strengthens the Solanderleden with site-specific architecture in the middle of nature. I am convinced that Arknat will lift the countryside with unique tourist destinations. For me, Arknat is about making it easier and more enjoyable to get out into nature. Well-thought-out and careful architecture creates attractive places that make people feel better, says Florian Steiner, city architect in Piteå.

– It is fantastic that our beautiful nature and countryside in Luleå are being recognized. It will also be something for our local tourism entrepreneurs to boost their business, not least by giving the Solanderleden more destination points. I believe that unique, site-specific windbreaks can attract more people to spend time in nature. In this way, we promote well-being and a more active lifestyle among our residents, says Alexander Morell, landscape architect at Luleå Municipality.

The new windbreaks can encourage more people to discover the Solander Trail and the landscapes between Luleå and Piteå.

– We welcome local actors and initiatives that want to contribute and enrich this summer's architecture festival, says Carolina Weinz, project manager Arctic Design Center at Region Norrbotten.

Facts about Arknat

• Started in 2017 with the aim of increasing understanding of wooden construction and the interaction between architecture and nature. Read more about Arknat here: Arknat homepage - ARKNAT
• Has previously been carried out in, among other places, the High Coast, Skåne and Västerbotten.

• During two intensive weeks in July, students will live together and, based on the locations where they will be built, develop proposals for site-specific windbreaks. Three of these will be selected, built and inaugurated before the festival ends.

• The students come from different parts of the world, but a number of places will be reserved for students from LTU.

• Local associations, companies and individuals are invited to help.
• Collaboration partners in Norrbotten: Solanderleden non-profit association, Luleå municipality, Piteå municipality, Arknat, Region Norrbotten / Arctic Design Center and local actors.
• Financiers: Sparbanken Nord, Luleå Municipality, Piteå Municipality and Norrbotten Region via Arctic Design Center which is co-financed via the European Regional Development Fund.

Contact

Martin Björklund, project manager Arknat
E-mail: martin.bjorklund@yahoo.se

Carolina Weinz, project manager Arctic Design Center at Region Norrbotten
E-mail: carolina.lundmark-weinz@norrbotten.se

Maja Nordmark, strategist Norrbotten Region
E-mail: maja.nordmark@norrbotten.se

Johannes Sundelin (S) 
Chairman of the Regional Development Committee 
Tel: 073-046 22 33