GRAPHISOFT > Case Studies > Revitalizing Mo i Rana Waterfront: An IoT Case Study

Revitalizing Mo i Rana Waterfront: An IoT Case Study

Technology Category

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) - Public Cloud
Sensors - Optical Sensors

Applicable Industries

Metals
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Smart City Operations
Smart Parking

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

The customer in this case is the town of Mo i Rana in Norway. The town is characterized by its contrasting qualities, with one side open to the sea and the other highly industrialized. The economy of Mo i Rana has relied mainly on the steel and concrete industries, which have been key to the growth and identity of the region as a whole. These industries have had a dominating influence on the built seafront, where the factories are located. The town was facing the challenge of the train tracks running through the center of the town, which created a barrier between the town center and the fjord, preventing any physical link from the town to the fjord.

The Challenge

The Norwegian firm Arkitektgruppen Cubus AS was tasked with the challenge of developing the connection from Mo i Rana to the neighboring fjord and railway, both of which are part of the major transportation system serving the local iron and concrete industries. The main problem was the train tracks running through the center of the town, which created a barrier between the town center and the fjord, preventing any physical link from the town to the fjord. The town had two contrasting qualities – one side was open to the sea, while the other side was highly industrialized. This resulted in a range of urban and natural experiences. The economy of Mo i Rana relied mainly on the steel and concrete industries, which had a dominating influence on the built seafront, where the factories were located.

The Solution

Cubus proposed a solution that involved the design of a series of large scale spatial modules that would transform the local terrain and microclimate at a given spot to provide places for shelter, sitting, reclining, access, connection between levels, and play and sport. The seafront promenade was designed to consist of three main types of spatial modules, developed to cater to a wide range of terrain and programs. These could be positioned in a variety of ways either individually or as a group or sequence, creating a varied rhythm of events all along the seafront. The old wall that ran along the seafront was retained for its protective qualities, but was included in the series of events that took place along the path. The sea promenade was an open space with an alternating rhythm of undulating soft edge path and spatial interventions created by the new modules. The walk was bordered by a natural habitat of wildflowers and reeds on the seaside, and inviting, sheltered places to sit and play in the urban side.

Operational Impact

The solution proposed by Cubus resulted in a revitalized waterfront that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The large scale spatial modules transformed the local terrain and microclimate, providing places for shelter, sitting, reclining, access, connection between levels, and play and sport. The seafront promenade, with its three main types of spatial modules, catered to a wide range of terrain and programs, creating a varied rhythm of events all along the seafront. The old wall that ran along the seafront was rejuvenated by a new context, becoming part of the series of events that took place along the path. The sea promenade became an open space with an alternating rhythm of undulating soft edge path and spatial interventions created by the new modules, bordered by a natural habitat of wildflowers and reeds on the seaside, and inviting, sheltered places to sit and play in the urban side.