The document describes the many empty and abandoned buildings in the town of Vardø, Norway. It states that after examining photos and street views, around 65 empty structures were identified in the harbor area alone. Given the town's population of only 2,100, the number of vacant buildings is quite high. These empty spaces are a reminder of the population decline and hardships the town has faced. Some of the old buildings are now being restored by local enthusiasts. The document raises questions about the current and future uses of these empty structures and whether they should be preserved, demolished, or transformed.

1. Today, in Vardø, there are several empty buildings. Vacant houses, old fishing fac-
tories no longer in use, abandoned sheds; spaces. An unknown amount of empty
structures can be found all over town. After looking at photos from Vardø taken in April
2011, and explored the streets of Vardø, through the nauseating and sometimes con-
fusing scope, of Google Street view, I could count roughly 65 empty buildings, maybe
more. This map, unfortunately, only shows the empty buildings of the harbour area, as
there is, at this moment, no existing map of empty structures in Vardø.
Compared to the size of the population (2.100), the vacant structures are quite numer-
ous. Their presence has become a constant reminder of the hardships Vardø has
suffered, and the massive depopulation, cutting the inhabitant count in half. In Vardø,
it’s common say, that half the houses are empty. Today, enthusiasts have begun the
project of restoring some of the old houses. They are prominent - almost dominating -
in the townscape. The population is still shrinking.
I see many different perspectives and aspects in approaching these empty spaces.
What function did they serve in the past, what role do they have to day, and what part
may they come to play in the future? Should they be preserved, teared down og trans-
formed? Will Vardø ever again grow and attract new populations? If so, should the
buildings be restored in order to accomodate these newcomers? Who do the buildings
belong to - who stands to answer these questions?
What is a built structure when it is no longer in use. How do you move in an empty
house. How do you move in empty street or in an empty town or inbetween many
empty houses. What are these empty spaces in Vardø. To what limits can we expore
the potential of empty homes, spaces, and structures?
All photos of empty houses in Vardø, are taken by Ottar Zahl Jonassen. The map of
empty houses was developped by Anette Margrethe Basso for her diplomawork in
Vardø in 2010 Vardø.

2. What was it what is it what can it be what do you see

3. a fence a perfect parcours something you do not recognize an art installation a playground for children a scenery from a movie

4. a fold out house for sunny days for ourdoor concerts for a garage
saleout in the neighboorhood a wall that becomes a balcony a
dancefloor a barbecue when finished, fold the house together

5. The house is never cold

6. A house worth its weight in concrete to make sure it will
never be forgotten to make sure it will never be moved
to make sure it will never be destroyed

7. A wooden floor all over town a big building in many col-
ors a colored wall with several entrances a collection of
old houses in a pile

8. a secret pathway inbetween houses for days with winterstorms for playing hideandseek for being lazy for something
else happening for walking in a different direction

9. A birch forest inside a house a smell you
would never imagine in Vardø a glass
roof and the sky above you a small
world to disappear in enter the forest
through a door like any other house

10. Or a garden maybe inside or out-
side the house someplace to lie
down especially in winter imagine
you are in Southern Italy or Indonesia
or in Vardø

11. Birds can nest
Cats can rest
Here
Wouldnt that be nice