SEE

The SÆ project is based on the experience of the nature of the Vestmanna Islands and the sea that surrounds the island, where the visitor perceives his small size towards the forces of nature. Based on that feeling, the focus is on the relationship between man and the sea, in the context of whales and the history of the area. Inspiration is taken from beluga whales in Klettsvík and the idea is further developed in a shelter for staff who work in the care of the whales.

The design reflects how whales adapt to their environment at any given time, focusing on flow, lighting, calmness, and materiality Description is a major and formative aspect of the design's experience in the building, and how the user perceives themselves within it With variable light, shadowing, and line-of-sight, a process of formation through the house, which is both physical and visual and sensory The lighting guides the visitor, brings out certain moments, and calms others, much like the movements of the ocean and its depths.

The project SÆ is rooted in the visceral experience of the Westman Islands’ natural landscapes, where the vastness of the ocean highlights the profound scale of nature in relation to the individual.Inspired by the presence of beluga whales in Klettsvík, the project prophecies a residency for their caregivers, exploring the intricate bond between humans, whales and the sea.

The design reflectors whale's fluid adaptation to it's environment, prioritizing flow, light, tranquility, and tactile materiality. Light is a significant definition shaping how the user perceives both the spaces and their own presence within it. Through a choreography of shifting shadows, and strategic sightlines, the building facilitates a, sense. Light guides the user, increasing certain moments while softening others, echoing the rhythmic movements and mysterious differences of the ocean.

Photos: Claudio Parada Nunes