The studio of Canadian architect Todd Saunders, based in Bergen, Norway, continues to turn its architecture into experiences to be lived. His buildings, such as the Villa AT and the Fogo Island Inn, exude an artistic sensibility in keeping with the radical, unique character of Nordic locations.
Fedje is an island fishing village of just over 500 inhabitants, threatened by lack of jobs and depopulation. The current project is not limited to the construction of a hotel: the more comprehensive program includes a whisky distillery to revitalize the island and develop tourism.
Time is also of the essence. This hotel complex is positioned on a cliffside at a distance from the main town. The design team imagined its U-shaped form, composed of three wings folded around an inner courtyard. This layout was inspired by Norwegian farm building groupings, to create outdoor spaces sheltered from the wind. The surface is clad in a mix of pine shingles and recycled slate, highlighting local vernacular materials.
The interiors should include 75 rooms, all facing the ocean. "We're drowning in everything digital, and we need to reclaim the analog," explains Todd Saunders. "We need to vacation away from the world; disconnect, not connect. We need breaks and respite. When we talk about 'island time', we're talking about time regulated by the sea, where everything unfolds with a beautiful slowness. When you come to islands like this, you rediscover another concept of time, lost for many people."
With the Fedje Hotel, Todd Saunders is creating a hospitality project that celebrates nature and this unique place, with the aim of making it a must-see destination where "you can spend a sweet
night and wake up to nothing but the sound of the waves."
