☉ Helicopter Base is a proposal by Local and Arkitema for Sykehusinnkjøp HF designed in 2023. It is located in Bergen Norway in a seaside setting. Its scale is medium with a surface of 2.000 sqm. Key material is wood. Concepts such as canopy nature and water are explored.
«A new helicopter base as public space.» Almost in the middle of the spaghetti junction and visible from the Bergen’s mountains is the new helicopter base for health center of Bergen. There’s a unique precision required to place this life-saving facility. It should not only fit into the cityscape but be a gem for Bergen on the waterfront, offering new experiences. Above all, its primary purpose is to save lives. “Every time we see the new helicopter base and/or hear the air ambulance, we should hope that this medical transportation increases the chance to save a life,” reads the competition’s foundation. This has been the basis for our proposal, LY & LIV. The intention of the proposal is to create an essential place for Bergen’s residents – a unique place for nature and cultural experiences, extending the “sculpture trail” around Store Lungegårdsvannet. Bergen municipality considers this area a crucial urban development zone. Our project fulfills the intentions of the waterfront strategy. The city’s connection to the sea is enhanced by the elevated location of the helicopter base overlooking the water, offering a new experience of enjoying the view of the new park, the water, and the city mountains. The maritime identity is continued with a project standing out in the water, as many boat houses have done before but in a new way, inviting marine plants and shoreline vegetation. The building will also be unique, enriching the cityscape’s identity, enhancing the peninsula’s connection to the sea through this vital base.