Extreme arctic cultures are split into two very different lifestyle dynamics depending on the time of the year and the drastically different amounts of sunlight available. Winters are very introverted as a result of the extreme cold and twenty-four hours of darkness, while summers and the midnight sun are celebrated and very social. Because of this contrast, winters are often accompanied by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression directly related to the amount of sunlight a person receives. It is theorized by psychologist Dr. Norman E. Rosenthal and sociologist Marcel Mauss that by creating more social interactions in the winter and through the use of light therapy, the physical, mental, and emotional conditions of people affected by SAD could be more balanced year-round.
Vardø is the terminus of the National Tourist Route project in Norway and a small arctic island that has fifty-six days of darkness each winter. Located in the center of Vardø, the project will house multipurpose rooms for meetings, clubs, pilates, etc.; a small theater; a community restaurant/cooking classroom; an interactive play area for children; a SAD retreat for light therapy; as well as an external sauna located on the water. These spaces will encourage interaction among people in the community year-round. A dynamic and unique exterior form incorporates both natural and artificial lighting, showcases tree and plant life that people this far north are unable to cultivate, and provides innovative social spaces and an atmosphere that will draw people inside. Both tourists and locals alike will be able to experience this unique interaction, which will, in turn, mitigate the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder on the community.