Dønning Community Building / JVA

Architects: Jarmund/Vigsnæs AS Architects MNAL
Location: Kleppstad, Norway
Client: Dønning Youth Society
Start Date: July 2005
Completion Date: July 2006
Design Team: Einar Jarmund, Håkon Vigsnæs, Alessandra Kosberg, Stian Schjeldrup, Nikolaj Zamecznik
Site Area: 2,500 sqm
Constructed Area: 400 sqm
Photographs: Jarmund / Vigsnæs AS, John Stenersen

The old building for the Dønning Youth Society, an independent and local community organization, burnt down December 13th 2004. The new building combines rest facilities and a café for tourists in the tourist season with a community building for the rest of the year.

The site slopes towards the water. The vegetation is low, indicating the harsh local climatic conditions. The building stands on its own, not unlike the big rocks you find scattering the Norwegian landscapes left from glacial activities.

The building is relatively closed, with the central communal space surrounded by supporting functions. The entrance is made visible almost as a big mouth, a clear cut, which reveals the interior. The large glass opening also gives contact with the midnight sun.

The structure is resolved as simple and cost efficient as possible. The exterior is covered in corrugated fiber cement boards. The large openings are covered in wooden paneling, painted brightly red.

The building is completed within a very limited budget defined by a preliminary design by a local builder. Both design and construction was done within one year, and the building was completed as a cooperative effort among the members of the youth society.