Geopark

One of the most urgent challenges facing the Norwegian oil industry is the future recycling of its material and knowledge-related assets. H&H has worked on several recycling projects that has put structures now discarded by the oil industry to good use. They are all studies about the possible relationship between the uniqueness of both the material and knowledge bases used in the offshore oil industry and its transfer value to architecture and urban development. The Geopark is part of the official programme for celebrating the Stavanger region as a European Capital of Culture in 2008.Its theme is the relationship between the unique material and knowledge base of the local petroleum industry and its transfer value to architecture and urban development. At once a fascinating and dangerous industry now entering its aftermath we seek to find a sustainable reuse.

In cooperation with the Norwegian Petroleum Museum, partners in the industry and local youth groups the project has been developed as an experimental urban space.The industry`s geological and technological expertise, production methods, materials and waste have been applied to create an activity park aimed particularly at young users. The park is organized around an artificial landscape which recreates the topography of the Troll oil and gas field in the scale of 1: 500. In this way, the geology of Troll and the drilling and production technology used on it form a 'geolandscape' with room for many activities and versatile use.

The landscape is cut out in order to create an overall amfi and at the same time revealing different sedimentary layers. These are programmed with various activities like grafitti, biking, climbing, exhibition, concerts, jumping, skating and chill out areas.Surfaces and installations are constructed out of recycled and reshaped elements from the petroleum sector, taken from abandoned fields, offshore bases, equipment suppliers and scrap heaps.