Comprehensive renovation and extension work is expected to begin shortly on the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, at an estimate price of 70 million DKK (9.4M EUR). With the plan underway since several years, the Faroese Parliament is set to rubber stamp its part of the funding in a matter of days or weeks, with the remainder of the funds coming from several other parties, including the Municipal Council of Tórshavn.
The new National Gallery is expected to be completed by 2028. As per director general Solveig Hanusardóttir Olsen, the upgrade project addresses growing visitor numbers as well as the need to modernize facilities. One key element of the project is the construction of a new exhibition hall; the existing exhibitions area will also be renovated; and a dedicated children’s art workshop will be created in an adjacent building.
“The design places emphasis on integrating with the surrounding natural environment, not least the Viðarlundin park, using wood to a large extent,” said architect Magnus Magnussen, of Brim Arkitektar.
“The design is kept in the style of the existing structures while at the same adding a more modern touch,” he added. “Overall, the project features sustainable, expanded spaces to accommodate growing collections and visitor demand.”
The existing National Gallery was built in two phases, with the original structure, Listaskálin, built in 1970, designed by the late architect J. P. Gregoriussen; an additional unit, built in 1993, was designed by Mr. Gregoriussen in collaboration with Danish architect Niels Fridthiof Truelsen.
As per the National Gallery, the extension and renovation project consists of three main parts: the renovation of the Skálin exhibition hall; a new hall for the permanent art exhibition; and the children’s workshop to house creative activities, an art school and more.
Since the Gallery originally opened in 1970, the number of visitors has increased significantly, Ms. Olsen told broadcaster KVF, adding that the number of exhibited pieces of art has likewised increased markedly.