Hotel Rindby Strand
In collaboration with Reiulf Ramstad, we have developed a competition proposal for a hotel at Rindby Beach that gently engages with the island’s unique qualities, where the transitions between the North Sea and the Wadden Sea create a remarkable journey through diverse landscape types.
Fanø is a living example of how nature continuously shapes the landscape. The sea keeps sculpting the terrain, from the tall dunes in the west to the low-lying, fertile marshlands in the east, in a never-ending dance between land and water. The hotel at Rindby Beach and its surrounding outdoor spaces are conceived as a unified whole. A special place on Fanø that offers a cohesive and authentic guest experience, rooted in the island’s distinct natural and cultural context. It is a place defined by a strong connection between architecture, landscape, and the local community.
The core principles guiding the overall design of Rindby Strand include:
- Strengthening Rindby Beach’s identity as part of the surrounding dune landscape
- Integrating the beach hotel as a natural element within this terrain
- Creating the experience of the hotel as a gentle clustering of houses that blends into the landscape
- Highlighting the striking landscape experiences along Kirkevejen, which tells a condensed story of Fanø’s terrain, from marshland in the east to sandy beach in the west
This means transforming the flat grassland into a gently undulating dune landscape that harmonizes with the surrounding topography. The hotel is composed of individual buildings that respectfully integrate with the land. These freestanding units reflect the scale and spacing found in the nearby holiday house areas.
By reestablishing the site as part of the dune landscape, nature becomes the first thing visitors encounter. Upon arrival, you are met by wind-blown sand, beach grass swaying on soft dune hills, and glimpses of the hotel emerging from the terrain. Nature sets the scene: you can feel the wind, smell the sand, and sense the sea nearby. This approach enhances the authenticity of the area while creating a destination where nature is central to the experience.
In addition to the master plan and hotel, the proposal includes a series of thoughtfully designed features:
- Porten (The Gateway): Marks the transition from flat terrain to steep dunes and offers a dramatic and beautiful welcome to the area.
- Strandtorvet (The Beach Square): A vibrant gathering space that supports local life and strengthens the connection to the summer house community, with room for events, markets, and social interaction.
- Pusterummet (The Breathing Space): A bike station with seating and wayfinding—a natural resting point for hikers and cyclists exploring the island.
- Stoppestedet (The Stopping Point): A space for play and activity near the restaurant, where a nature-inspired playground echoes the shapes of the dunes.
- Solnedgangspladsen (The Sunset Square): Located at the end of Kirkevejen, featuring softly undulating plateaus that provide shelter and a setting for relaxation, café visits, and stunning views of the sunset over the sea.
Hotel Rindby Strand has the potential to become a true destination: a place worth visiting not just for the beach, which remains the area’s main attraction, but as a venue for all-season activities that extend beyond Fanø’s peak summer season.
Won competition
Location
Rindby Strand, Fanø
Client
Slow Down Hotel Resort and Planet Gruppen
Role
Sub-consultant
Collaborators
Reiulf Ramstad
Completed
2024 - Ongoing
Size
15.400 m2
