Historical ‘slices‘ of the quarry, exploring the site’s history through its depth
Bornholm in context
Sectional site model of the quarry, showing the 4 interventions
Traces of cultural and natural forces left on the site
Long Section
Cross Section
The stair; through which the visitor descends the depth of the quarry, while weaving between the rock and the void
The pier; formed by collecting the rubble swept to the bottom of the lake once quarrying ceased
The tower; the highest point of quarry, celebrating the condition of wind, while harking back to the lighthouse which once stood there
The Shelter; a scaffolding-like timber structure which supports a monumental slab of stone
Elemental models which explore the natural conditions at each of the 4 strata
Decentering the Visitor: A Critical Reframing of Bornholm’s Extracted Landscapes
This thesis explores the unlikely intersection between post-industrial landscapes and tourism. Sited at Opalsøen, a disused granite quarry on Bornholm, it examines how architecture can unfold the potential of such places, through poetically framing their contradictory beauty and brutality. The typology chosen to do this with, is the visitor centre. However, rather than encouraging passive consumption through gift shops, cafes and exhibitions, here the visitor is encouraged to experience the nature and history of the place in a slow and engaged manner, as they meander through a series of architectural interventions within the landscape.
These 4 interventions each frame a different condition of rock and of the natural forces at distinct locations within the site.