FANØ BEACH HOUSE

Introduction

In an attempt to improve the Danish coastline and coastal tourism, the Ministry of the Environment has opened up for possibilities to allow and support projects that are situated within the coastal proximity zone and the beach protection line. The projects are of an experimental nature, all envisioned with the aim to strengthen the quality of coastal tourism along the Danish coastline, but with respect to nature and landscape.

VisitDenmark, in collaboration with the Knowledge Centre for Coastal Tourism, have conducted several analyses and surveys of existing and potential guests along the coasts. Among the group of existing users, people mentioned that the nature, beaches, peace and quiet, walks and activities are what makes Fanø so attractive to them. Both groups expressed a desire for more activities in relation to the beach and nature.

TYPE, SIZE, SITE

Leisure Facility

1500 m²

Fanø, Denmark

CUSTOMER

World Center of Wind and Kite

PARTNERS

Fanø Municipality

STATUS, YEAR

Delivered

2015

TEAM

Partner in charge: Anders Lendager

Project Leader: Brian Kessy

Team: Christopher Ketil Dehn Carlsen, Mathias Ruø Rasmussen, Benjamin Molin Foged

Context

The story of Fanø is one of wind, water and harsh nature. But also a story of bathing wagons, and a huge beach used as a racing track and runway for aircraft. It is a history where the wind and the beach always have played a central role in the self-understanding and identity of the islanders.

The wind shapes the sand dunes and the beach, a major part of the natural landscape of the island that attracts and fascinates droves of tourists year after year. The wind has always been important here, a force of life.

Concept

The main concept of Fanø Beach House is to create a sustainable, architecturally sensible building based on a wind as a theme on a carefully chosen place without any protected species or international restrictions.

– A place that embraces all the activities of the beach and the surrounding nature. A place that acts as a natural centre of attraction for both locals and visitors.

– A place that tells the story of the many kites of the International Kite Festival, a spectacle that attracts and fascinates thousands of visitors every year.

– A place that will be placed in close connection to existing buildings and tourism-related activities, where people are moving around and present already.

The building will place Fanø firmly onto the world map, and a place that will become an important part of the continued development of the island and its identity both inwards and outwards. Not just because the location is unique and the facilities unprecedented, but because the building concept and architecture has no counterpart anywhere. A place that acts as a natural place of gathering for everybody, both locals and visitors.

The idea is to establish a sustainable building placed close to the beach on Fanø. The building will be unique in both form and function, unlike anything else. A building that conveys the story of the kites that fill the beaches of Fanø every year, and at the same time create a base for a wide range of activities.

A building that combines a static building with mobile pavilions. A flexible building that can adapt to future trends and developments.

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Environment

The nature of Fanø is fragile and valuable. The same is true of the protected animal species on the island. This nature has to be respected and taken care of, so that future generations can have the same enjoyment as we have.
Fanø is an island in a national park, an island surrounded and defined by nature so beautiful that it is a part of the world heritage.

The animal life on Fanø is especially rich, and when enjoying a holiday break in one of the island’s summer houses you literally live next door to rabbits, hares, pheasants, foxes and deer.

Since Fanø is an island disconnected from the mainland several animal species have been imported to the island, whereas others simply do not exist, for example rats, moles and snakes. With regard to natural life it is worth noting that Fanø is situated in the northern part of the Wadden Sea, which is one of the most important areas in the world for seabirds, fish and seals.

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Social

Currently there is no natural gathering place for tourists, business clients and beach and wind based activities on Fanø. This lack contains an unfulfilled potential. A meeting place could help realize this latent potential and help develop the coastal and wildlife tourism in the area.

The establishment of a hub for different activities on Fanø will first and foremost offer a natural gathering place for both residents and guests. It would be a natural place for locals to meet, and a destination for tourists who are looking for activities and events on their holidays.

Economy

Tourism is a major contributor to job creation in Denmark, and the establishing of a gathering place here could help retain and create jobs within the tourism industry on Fanø.

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UPCYCLING