It seems to be big groundbreaking week for Danish firms right now :Schmidt hammer lassen architects was kicking off construction of their enormous International Criminal Court campus in The Hague, The Netherlands, and now we’re also hearing of BIG breaking ground on the Marknagil Education Center—soon to become the biggest building on the Faroe Islands. Together with local architects Fuglark and a team of consultants, BIG had won the competition for the 19,200 sqm / 206,667 sq ft educational facility back in 2009
Situated on a hillside in the outskirts of Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, the new Education Center will seek to establish synergies between the different educational programs placed within. Housing more than 1,200 students and 300 teachers, the center is the largest educational building project in the country’s history, combining Faroe Islands Gymnasium, Torshavns Technical College and Business College of Faroe Islands in one building.
Integrating the dramatically sloped landscape, the project is designed as a vortex, radiating out toward the surrounding environment while at the same time focusing inward on the school’s inner landscape for learning. The three schools under one roof create the synergetic effect of a vertical campus where at the school’s heart an open rotunda space creates a natural gathering point across floor levels and academic interests. As a functional sculpture formed by the schools internal needs the abundant surroundings of the Torshavn landscape provide a unique opportunity to shape the school from the inside out. Read more.
Ibrahim Abdelhady is an architect, academic, and media entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in architecture and digital publishing. He is the Founder and CEO of Arch2O.com, a leading platform in architectural media, renowned for showcasing innovative projects, student work, and critical discourse in design. Holding dual PhDs in Architecture, Dr. Abdelhady combines academic rigor with industry insight, shaping both future architects and architectural thought. He actively teaches, conducts research, and contributes to the global architecture community through his writing, lectures, and media ventures. His work bridges the gap between practice and academia, pushing the boundaries of how architecture is communicated in the digital age.