The project aims to address the challenges of floods and coal pollution in Pyramiden, an abandoned Soviet mining town in Norway’s Arctic. The proposed dike system not only protects the town from floods but also offers a functional movement system around the area by utilizing the in-situ waste coal dump as filler material. Additionally, the project tackles the issue of inadequate services for the rapidly increasing arctic tourism by creating architectural spaces for a mining museum, brewery, and a greenhouse, making the most of the challenging climate that restricts open-air agriculture.
Emphasizing sustainability, the hub utilizes local materials like timber for its unique structure and employs innovative methods to overcome permafrost/thaw challenges. This transformative initiative seeks to preserve Pyramiden’s past while building a more resilient and sustainable future for the town and its surrounding arctic environment.
Author: Asena Özel
Studio: Arch 402 Spring 2023
Instructor(s): Giorgio Gasco
