The fortress ruins on the Åland Islands stand as a poignant relic of the Russian Empire’s westward expansion in the early 19th century, under the reign of Nicholas I of Russia, during Finland’s tenure as a part of the empire. The construction of the fortress was a monumental endeavor, aimed at defending the Gulf of Bothnia and the approaches to St. Petersburg from potential naval threats.
Project Name: The Bomarsund Visitor Centre
Studio Name:Daniel Andersson
Location: Bomarsund, Åland Islands
Size: 675 m2
Architect: Daniel Andersson
Landscape Architect: Daniel Andersson
Image Credit: Christoffer Relander
Despite its ambitious beginnings, the fortress remained unfinished and met its demise in 1854 during the Crimean War, when it was bombarded by French and British forces, reducing it to ruins within a matter of days. Regrettably, the fortress was never reconstructed.
Today, the ruins of Bomarsund attract visitors from far and wide, holding significant cultural value for the autonomous Åland Islands. Additionally, the tale of Bomarsund holds clues to the demilitarization of the Åland Islands, a status that endures to this day.
The newly inaugurated Visitor Centre serves as a storyteller of earlier Russian expansionism, portraying encounters between the secluded rural Åland Islands and the great powers of the era. It elucidates how these historical events have shaped the thriving society of the modern Åland Islands. The Bomarsund ruins stand as a tangible reminder of the halt to Russian expansionism.
Architecture:
Strategically located along a historic causeway leading to the main fortress, the Visitor Centre stands out distinctly. Deliberately, the parking area is segregated from the Centre, connected by a winding path designed to evoke curiosity in approaching visitors. Inspired by the narrative woven into the site, the Centre’s architecture aligns with historical axes while introducing fresh perspectives that offer vistas of both the ruins and the shoreline, seamlessly integrating storytelling into its design.
The distinctive silhouette of the building pays homage to the Empire style architecture prevalent during the fortress’s construction. Echoing characteristics of the era, the Centre’s design establishes a visual link to the past. Its directional flow, transitioning from a clean gable roof to a hip roof near the fortress ruins, symbolizes reverence for the site’s historical significance and a desire to minimize its impact on the cultural landscape.
Clad in dark wood, the exterior of the Centre features minimal openings, adding to its mysterious allure. The grand entrance, marked by a tiled square framed by ancient stone blocks unearthed during archaeological surveys, invites visitors into a welcoming interior adorned with warm wood tones. Within, a spacious hall houses an information desk and amenities, offering panoramic views of the ruins and shoreline pivotal to the Battle of Bomarsund. The exhibition space, arranged as a chronological journey, guides visitors through overlapping rooms, culminating in an exit overlooking the ruins through a large glazed wall.
While the existing ruins predominantly consist of local red granite and brickwork, historical records suggest that wooden structures once populated the area. Destroyed during the lead-up to the Battle of Bomarsund, these wooden buildings left behind a haunting landscape of chimneys and stone foundations. The Centre’s architectural design serves as a poignant reminder of this event, advocating for the sustainable use of wood in construction through its charred wooden cladding, symbolizing a connection to the region’s tumultuous past.
