Greymatter Møvika | Old school, New tool

Students from ENSAAMA worked with a project focused on rural development in the Fjell area of Øygarden municipality, Norway. The Greymatter Møvika & Ulveseth initiative involved transforming soon-to-be disused school buildings into community spaces, exploring sustainable residential construction, and improving local infrastructure. The project was conducted in collaboration with Architecture firm LOCAL and the Vestland Region County department for City development, aiming to address local engagement, sustainability, and innovation challenges.

The Site
The students work on a rural territory in Fjell within Øygarden municipality. Site 1 is a school building soon to be disused, which has the potential to become a new civic place for the local community. Site 2 is a natural area undergoing development where students can explore alternative residential construction that respects the natural environment and has long-term generational ambitions. Site 3 is a 2km long territory characterized by poor infrastructure for soft mobility and a lack of connection with the surrounding landscape.

The Challenge
Øygarden municipality, a central area in the Bergen region with nearly 40,000 inhabitants, faces significant changes. It is the second-largest municipality in Vestland, with future population growth necessitating housing and downtown development. The local industry is shifting from oil and gas services to a strong position in the green transition, with aquaculture and fishing also being key industries. The municipality boasts natural recreational areas, diverse cultural life, and sports facilities. However, it must focus development on seven local centers, leading to the closure and merging of two old schools into a new, larger school in Ulveset/Møvika. This change creates disagreement and uncertainty among residents about the future of their local communities. The challenge is to foster local engagement and unity, making the new local centers attractive and inclusive places that promote belonging, identity, and security.

Sustainability
Øygarden municipality aims to make the Ulveset/Møvika local center a pilot project for sustainable development. The municipality has already prioritized building a new school and establishing traffic safety measures. However, there is little local enthusiasm for these changes, as residents feel they are losing something valuable. The municipality seeks to involve the community in shaping this new development to ensure a sense of ownership and connection. The school will be built in a natural area, raising questions about how to preserve the surrounding ecosystem and possibly create Norway’s greenest and most sustainable outdoor area. The goal is to use the natural environment for educational purposes, such as studying species, growing food, and fostering children’s connection with nature through play and activities.

Innovation Potential
The project addresses sustainability challenges recognized by many municipalities, both socially and environmentally. Øygarden seeks tools and methods to preserve the character of the areas affected by the school closure and the new development. The municipality wants to mobilize resources already present in Ulveset/Møvika and innovate while preserving the area’s unique identity. They aim to explore synergies between nature, the sea, and the traditional coastal culture, identifying local resources and using them creatively to drive innovation and development.

Anchoring
Commitment and collaboration are crucial to solving societal challenges in Øygarden. The municipality has examples of successful local initiatives, such as the village of Glesvær, where local engagement has turned natural and cultural value into attractiveness for both visitors and residents. In Glesvær, locals run cafes, rent fishing cabins and boats, and organize events like concerts and water sports. Another example is Hengjo on Hellesøy, where an old net shed has been transformed into a multi-purpose community building. These examples inspire the development of local centers in Øygarden, demonstrating the potential of local engagement and resourcefulness.

The Partnership
As part of international exchanges facilitated by the school’s relations, students collaborate with architect and designer Jérôme Picard of LOCAL Architecture and Urbanism, based in Bergen. This partnership also involves Bergen Arkitektur Skole (BAS) and the KMD school, where Picard teaches. In 2023, Dnmade3 Habitat students are tasked with designing housing and facilities on the island of Møvika in Vestland, Norway. The project, aimed at active seniors, explores autonomy on the island through the design of a shared habitat micro-village and the rehabilitation of a soon-to-be disused school with significant potential for new uses. This work is part of the “Grey Matter” research project led by LOCAL Architecture, focusing on architectural and design solutions for seniors.

Study Trip
In September 2023, students travel to Bergen and Møvika for five days. They explore Bergen and its region, meet with architects and professionals from the Bergen School of Architecture around the “Grey Matter” theme, and visit the school and urban planning services of the region. On the island between Møvika and Fjell, they visit project sites and interact with locals and stakeholders, gathering information on the specific characteristics of insular life and the spatial organization of Norwegian coastal towns.

Project Development
The project continues into the second semester, with Jérôme Picard providing guidance during a teaching exchange in Paris in February 2024. The students receive ongoing support through videoconferences, with landscape architect Jean-François Gauthier from Sylva Landscape Rotterdam, also a teacher at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture, participating. The partnership offers opportunities for both on-site and remote guidance and access to professional resources, shared across the Espace program during a presentation of LOCAL Bergen and LOCAL Paris.

Project Progress and Presentation
The project is ongoing, with final presentations scheduled for June 19-21, 2024, before a jury of associated architects including Jérôme Picard (LOCAL), Nolwenn Auneau (Tectone Architecture), and Marie-Ange Jambu (Open Ends Architecture, ENSAP Belleville). In September 2024, the project will be presented to the Vestland region in English, using video capsules and an exhibition.

Educational Outcomes
The project offers several educational benefits: it includes conferences, exchanges, and meetings in English; it allows students to experience and assess the landscape and local conditions in Norway; it provides exposure to local heritage, vernacular architecture, and specific Scandinavian materials and techniques. Students develop complex project programming skills, apply knowledge gained during their three years of study, and affirm their training in sustainable design focused on resource management, craftsmanship, and biodiversity. The project also introduces new tools and methods, including cartographic resources, 3D topographic models, and urban planning concepts relevant to insularity and rurality. Students confront their choices and proposals with professional partners, including regional representatives, LOCAL architects, and guest landscape architects.