Canadian architect Todd Saunders' studio, based in Bergen, Norway, continues to create immersive architectural experiences. His buildings, such as Villa AT and the Fogo Island Inn, embody an artistic sensibility perfectly aligned with the radical and unique character of Nordic landscapes.
Fedje is an island fishing village of just over 500 inhabitants, threatened by a lack of jobs and depopulation. The current project is not limited to the construction of a hotel: the broader program includes, among other things, a whisky distillery, with the aim of revitalizing the island and developing tourism.
Time is also a factor. This hotel complex is perched on a cliffside, some distance from the main town. The design team conceived its U-shape, composed of three wings folded around an inner courtyard. This layout is inspired by the clustering of Norwegian farm buildings to create sheltered outdoor spaces. The surface is clad in a mix of pine shingles and recycled slate, highlighting local vernacular materials.
The interiors are expected to 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 take vacations away from the world; to disconnect, not connect. We need breaks and respite. When we talk about ‘island time,’ we’re talking about a time regulated by the sea, where everything unfolds with a beautiful slowness. When you come to islands like this, you rediscover another conception of time, one that many people have lost.”
With the Fedje Hotel, Todd Saunders has created a hospitality project that celebrates nature and this unique location, aiming to make it an essential destination where "one can spend a gentle
"At night, waking up to no other sound than that of the waves."
