Öresjö Recreational Area | One of the Best Geometric Beach Areas in the World

Article by Aybige Tek – Öresjö recreational area by MARELD landscape architects, in Trollhättan, Sweden. When designing the Öresjö recreational area, the main concept for the landscape architects and people involved in the design phase was to create a beach and bathing areas in public space for everyone. Public use was their main goal where the geometry is circular; half-moon shaped, in fact, and also has linear and also curved beach pathways around it. Let’s see how they achieved their goal of creating a beach for everyone now:

Öresjö Recreational Area

The park is located in Trollhättan, Sweden, in Öresjö Recreational Park. This small village has Trollhättan Canal for natural walks, the Saab Car Museum, and the Innovatum Science Center as its top landmark places to visit. Öresjö Park brings in a fresh landscape point for even tourists to go visit and enjoy.

It is a concept of drive-in and enjoy the beach for a day or a half-day and leave, yet still it is an attraction point even for tourists to go check it out. The best quality of the Öresjö Recreational Area is that nature’s wild side is connected to landscape architecture and architecture in the smoothest way possible. The geometry of the circular amfi beach, the clean edges of grass and pathways and sand creates a tranquil look for the eyes. When one material will change on the ground level or on the pathway level, the transitions are sharp and clean and technically perfected! This design soothes the user’s eyes and the user feels at peace. There are several barbecue areas for people. Areas for outdoor barbecuing and play are strategically placed throughout the site so users can easily access them. A curved wooden boardwalk connects the restrooms to the beach area, which looks like a half moon from the top viewpoint. A lookout platform that lands near the picnic lawn has a beach view. Ice cream and hot dog stands are near one of the barbecue areas and also close to the restrooms. All the areas have trees of different sizes and ages. Most of these trees are oak trees in this region.

Which plants are used at the resort? 

Oak trees and grass are the main features of nature here. The sand, grass, and wood surfaces are distinguished due to the design. Pines and spruce trees are planted into its woods. These are also the existing trees at the site. Mareld landscape architects have not planted any new trees or plants. According to the landscape architects’ information, the new landscape design was planned around all the available existing landscape elements.

The existing trees’ exact positions were carefully documented before they made construction drawings and the wooden pathway was placed so that the trees wouldn´t be affected. They have protected the existing trees by covering or separating the construction from the trees. Gravel and wood materials were also used to bring in more natural texture to the site. The design has linear and curvy features which are easy on the eyes. Spaces and actions are linked to each other so the project feels connected. Thick stone walls that are edge walls also bring in a natural element with landscape architecture. Öresjö Recreational Area features wood pathways, seats and tables. The pathway railings are wood structures with metal mesh wires embedded in their frames. The restrooms are wood cabinets which suits beach architectural design. There are stairs that reach the water’s edge that have three risers where people can also sit. All the wood that is used is water- and air-resilient. The drawings that are required for this site are simple and elegant which follows the Scandinavian design principles with a rich use of pure wood and natural elements. Flow is an important part of the overall design approach at the site area. One person can flow from one action to the next and spend hours at the site. One family or group of friends can easily spend a whole day at the recreation area, feeling refreshed on the way back home.

What activities can be done at the recreation center?

Outdoor activities are plenty in this area. Bathing in the water, playing volleyball at the beach, walking in the park, walking your dogs, reading your books, running, cardio exercising, doing canoe trips, and eating ice cream and hot dogs are some of the activities available. There are also slides and swings for kids in play areas. Picnic and barbeque areas are also great options for gathering with people.

Fishing is another activity to do in the canal. This beach has a great disabled accessibility which makes the area rejuvenating for disabled people also. The noise of the little traffic and car parking is stopped and insulated with high walls of seats and existing trees, therefore creating one of the best spaces for resting mind, body and soul connections.

What is the overall experience?

Quietness and the sounds of nature have become very rare in our modern day life. Öresjö Recreational Area is that quiet area which is essential for our wellbeing and health. Even a person who visits this site can go home resfreshed and renewed without even doing any sports. Think of working out in such a space, to reap even more benefits from nature and landscape architecture.

Öresjö Recreational Area creates sustainable solutions for its society and the materials that are used are economical, local, and have the typical characteristics of Scandinavian architecture. Nature’s moods in all seasons can be observed in this beach area because the atmosphere created is neutral and soothing for our eyes; it is easy to observe nature’s movements in these spaces. What other sustainable recreational areas have you visited or are planning to visit in the new year?

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Full Project Credits For Öresjö Recreational Area:

Project name: Öresjö Recreational Area Landscape Architects: MARELD landskapsarkitekter Project location: Trollhättan, Sweden Client: City of Trollhättan Date of Completion: 2016 Photographs: Linda Sandin Recommended Reading:

• Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer
• Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design With Nature by Douglas Farrs
• eBooks by Landscape Architects Network

Article by Aybige Tek

Published in Blog