Arknat comes to Norrbotten – architecture meets nature along the Solanderleden trail
This summer, the internationally acclaimed architecture festival Arknat is coming to Norrbotten. The festival, which has received great attention both nationally and internationally since its inception in 2017, unites architecture, nature and social development by allowing students from architecture and engineering programs to create unique buildings in natural landscapes. The Norrbotten Region is hosting the festival, which this time takes place along the regional hiking trail Solanderleden between Piteå and Luleå.
Architecture Festival in Norrbotten
During two intensive summer weeks, students from all over the world will work together with local stakeholders to design and build three unique wooden windbreaks, adapted to the landscape, history and use of the site. The windbreaks are built on a 1:1 scale and are open to everyone to use – as resting places, meeting points and architectural experiences in nature. The projects are carried out in close collaboration between students, municipalities, business and civil society, with a focus on sustainability, outdoor life and local development.
The Solanderleden Trail stretches approximately 23 km from Kallax south of Luleå to Jävre south of Piteå and passes through a varied landscape of coast, forest, rivers and cultural-historical environments. When the windbreaks are completed, they will be managed by the non-profit association Solanderleden and will contribute to strengthening the trail's attractiveness for both regional, national and international visitors. Arknat's establishment in Norrbotten is seen as a first step towards more similar initiatives in the county, where architecture and designed living environments are used as tools for place development, rural development and increased public health.
– We welcome local actors and initiatives that want to contribute and enrich this summer's architecture festival, says Carolina Weinz, strategist for sustainable community building and housing supply, Region Norrbotten.
News!
Arknat has now found its fifteen participants. During the beginning of the year, applications have been open for students to apply for this year's festival, and the selection is now complete. Young engineering and architecture students from Sweden and parts of Europe have been selected to participate in this summer's festival in Norrbotten, where unique campsites will emerge in close interaction with nature.
The architecture festival will take place between July 9-24 and will end with an opening of the windbreaks to the public. More information and invitations will follow!
Who makes it possible?
Arknat Norrbotten is a collaboration between Arknat, Region Norrbotten via Arctic Design Center, Solanderleden, Piteå Municipality and Luleå Municipality. Sparbanken Nord participates as a co-financier of the festival.
The festival is co-organized within the regional development project Arctic Design Center. A collaborative project between Region Norrbotten, Region Västerbotten, Skellefteå Municipality and the Foundation for Swedish Industrial Design with the aim of establishing a node for the policy area for designed living environment in upper Norrland. Co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
This summer's partners are also Sweco, SCA, Strong-Tie, Cramo and XL-BYGG Stenvalls, all of whom contribute what they know best.
Contact information:
Martin Björklund, project manager Arknat
E-mail: martin.bjorklund@yahoo.se
Carolina Weinz, strategist for sustainable community development and housing supply, Norrbotten Region
E-mail: carolina.lundmark-weinz@norrbotten.se
