With the harbor being closed to the public in recent years, our design for the new Smyril Headquarters intends to revive the nostalgic significance of the port while embracing Faroese traditions and history. Drawing on a sense of place that is captured in 1950’s black and white photographs showing crowds gathering to bid farewell to departing passengers, the design creates a spatial separation of passengers and freight, reconnecting the historic promenade to the city.
Smyril Line's 8,000 m² headquarters will serve three distinct functions, acting as a ferry terminal, an office building, and a logistics center. With a publicly accessible outdoor ramp area, the project will reconnect residents and visitors with the Eastern Harbor. Located in central Torshavn, just around the corner from the Faroese parliament building, the design blends wood and concrete elements with the surrounding landscape.
Paying tribute to local culture and traditions, the wooden structure mirrors the contours of traditional Faroese fishing boats. Crafted with a single axe and tracing their origins back to Viking times, these boats are included in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The base structure of the building reflects the hand-built coastal paths frequently found on smaller Faroese islands, providing easy boat access from the water through the steep cliff faces to small wooden boat buildings.
As Smyril Line operates passenger ferries across Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland, the terminal will serve as both a layover and departure point for travellers. The design prioritizes adaptability to the changing seasons and the Nordic climate, ensuring a seamless experience for arriving and departing passengers.
A dedicated vehicle drop-off leads directly to the main entrance and encompasses two levels housing a public waiting room, café, registration desk, and International Ship and Port Facility Security area. The upper waiting room grants access to a terrace ramp, where visitors can relax amidst a landscape of native Faroese vegetation while enjoying impressive views.
