Grandfjæra Vest
What would you do with 700,000m³ of leftover stone?
What would you do with 700,000m³ of leftover stone? In Molde, this question is sparking an ambitious transformation. Grandfjæra Vest, an underutilized stretch along the city’s waterfront, is being reimagined as a green, inclusive urban district that fuses sustainability, cultural heritage, and community life. Architecture and urbanism studio LOCAL in collaboration with Curve Studio and INSAM, has developed a visionary masterplan to transform this reclaimed land into a dynamic green and blue extension of Molde cultural and natural landscape, leveraging surplus materials from the possible Møreaksen infrastructure project to redefine the city’s future.
Reimagining the Waterfront
The proposal for Grandfjæra Vest is not just about expanding Molde’s coastline—it’s about creating a new narrative for how people live and interact. With 39,500 m² of new land and an extended coastline of 885 meters (nearly tripling its current length), the project links Molde’s historic center to its commercial hubs, like Roseby, with an integrated network of green spaces, walkable streets, and public squares.
Central to the vision is the creation of an innovative multifunctional cultural arena designed to host events, music performances, and activities ranging from large-scale gatherings to improvised community moments. This flexible venue will serve as a focal point for cultural life in Grandfjæra, blending local identity with dynamic programming to energize the district year-round.
The district as a whole is envisioned as a green and diverse space where sustainable transport, diverse housing options, and vibrant public life converge. Early-stage activation, including temporary uses and experimental public spaces, is a cornerstone of the strategy, fostering community engagement from the outset and creating a sense of ownership for the future neighborhood.
Listening to the City
Key to the project’s success is the emphasis on collaboration and user involvement. Workshops, digital platforms, and local consultations brought residents, stakeholders, and city officials into the design process, making their voices central to the district’s development.
“We didn’t want this to be a top-down project,” explains Jerome Picard, partner at LOCAL and leader of the Grandfjæra Vest project. “The identity of this new neighborhood, this new generous city park, had to emerge from the people who will bring it to life. It’s their input that shaped our design.”
This inclusive approach led to the development of multiple scenarios for the site, each exploring the interplay between housing, public spaces, sustainable mobility, and the cultural arena. These scenarios were evaluated not only for feasibility but also for their capacity to respond to climate challenges and the evolving needs of the city.
A Holistic Vision
One main concern is to craft a plan that balances ambition with practicality. The proposed design seamlessly integrates green and blue infrastructure, prioritizing environmental resilience while promoting health and social connection. Public spaces are envisioned as multi-functional hubs, blending recreation, culture, and community events, while a network of walking and cycling paths ties the district together.
The multifunctional cultural arena and the city park will play a pivotal role in this vision, acting as a gathering point for both organized events and spontaneous activity. Its design ensures that it can adapt to a variety of uses—from concerts and festivals to promenade or open-air markets—anchoring Grandfjæra as a cultural and social heart for Molde and the Region.
Building the Future, One Stone at a Time
Grandfjæra Vest isn’t just about land reclamation—it’s about reclaiming opportunity. By turning leftover materials into the foundation of a vibrant, sustainable urban district, The proposal transforms a logistical challenge into an architectural statement.
“This is more than a new neighborhood,” says Picard. “It’s a blueprint for how we can turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities—where sustainability and local identity go hand in hand.”
