Bodø, Norway, has a history that unfolds like a story of multiple cities. From its humble beginning as a humble fisherman’s village to becoming an industrial town, a military base, a thriving university city, a county capital, and a popular tourist destination. Now, once more, Bodø is on the cusp of a transformation, poised for a new chapter in its ever-changing narrative.
As the military moves out and the airport has been relocated, Bodø is expanding westward to accommodate new residents and support its growing tourist industry. “Molokvartalet”, the urban development plan for the area, aims to both expand and strengthen Bodø’s urban core by building on the city’s unique inherent qualities; the untamed omnipresent nature – the sea, cliffs, and mountains - that has shaped its identity.
Molokvartalet is designed as a dense, mixed-use neighbourhood that fosters a sense of intimacy and connectivity, while maintaining strong ties to both the waterfront and the existing city. A cohesive, harmonious, and appealing place that looks toward the future Bodø as a vibrant, exciting, and engaging city. Situated between the city centre and the waterfront, it already possesses valuable qualities; the proximity to the sea and scenic surroundings are defining features of Bodø and are enhanced in the urban development plan for the neighbourhood. Future residents will be able to relish direct views of either the park or the waterfront, which will contribute to a high quality of life. To ensure urban character and life at street level, ground floor areas along the main street, Mologaten, are reserved for public facilities and retail.
The urban development plan for Molokvarteret harmoniously brings together the city, sea, and nature, resulting in an aggregated space that encourages a lively atmosphere along the waterfront. By making the coastal landscape accessible, it will serve as a catalyst for Bodø’s growth trajectory, attracting new residents and tourists to experience the city’s charm and scenic beauty.
Between city, sea and nature. The new development will become an integral part of Bodø's existing urban structure.
The seaside buildings that step down towards the water create a dense city structure that maximizes views of the Norwegian Sea.
The new park-facing buildings respond to the current low-level structures in place today.
The three housing typologies will be in direct connection with the sea, city and nature : waterfront buildings, park blocks and park houses
Beyond the arctic circle lies the city of Bodø, a former fisherman’s village and now one of the fastest growing cities in Norway. To meet Bodø’s growth trajectory, the city has looked to new areas for development that can support its aspirations of offering an appealing environment for new settlers, businesses, and tourists along the waterfront where incoming residents can embrace the spectacular qualities of Norway just outside of their own home.
The urban development plan for the 34,000 m² district west of the city centre and north of the local airport is designed as a natural extension to the existing city and its main thoroughfares. Through a dense, mixed-use plan, the new neighbourhood will appear as an integrated part of the city structure and ensure that important connections, sightlines, and qualities of the surroundings are maintained.
“Our vision for the masterplan is to reactivate the waterfront and create a strong connection between the new development and downtown Bodø,”
Playing with contrasting elements of craftmanship and modernity create an honest town-like expression to the new neighbourhood where old fishing villages have inspired the architectural concept and colour palette. Interior daylighting nourishes users throughout the long and dark Nordic winters with plentiful windows that overlook the lush landscape of sea and nature life.
A 400-metre public promenade will create a new lively atmosphere at the water’s edge, while Molopladsen, a new public square, will become a gathering place for its incoming residents and visitors alike. Molopladsen will become an important node in the city where the city centre, the popular Moloveien pier, the nearby airport, and the new Utviklingsområde Vest developments meet.
The new park-facing buildings will respond to the current low-level structures in place today, while the taller seaside buildings that step down towards the water will create a dense city structure that maximizes views of the Norwegian Sea.
