Architecture: Fogo Island Arts

Fogo Island Arts is a residency based contemporary art venue open to artists and thinkers from around the world. This innovative and revolutionary architectural wonder is meant to engage global conversation, an experiment in art, nature. The studios are environmentally sustainable, allowing the artist to work within nature, without disrupting its delicate balance.

The overall design of the project was assigned to the Newfoundland born architect Todd Saunders who with his genuine soft spot for tradition approached the project on a personal and familiar level. The result is that Saunders has managed to introduce new angles to the island’s natural environment with 'clean' geometric shapes offering astonishing views for all visitors to enjoy. Every single studio has its own unique design and is associated with one of the island’s local communities.

The first studio completed in 2010 named 'Long Studio' offers breath-taking views of the North Atlantic Ocean, including icebergs that originate from the glaciers of Greenland through its slightly elevated construction. The other three studios were built by the end of 2011; Tower Studio which is located in Shoal Bay, Bridge Studio which is situated in Deep Bay and Squish Studio near Titling. The Short Studio in Little Seldon and Fogo Studio in the village of Fogo were completed in 2012. All studios are named after their shape and form emphasizing their strongest points and their thoroughly weather-resistant construction.