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In the heart of Umeå lies a silent witness to our collective history and potential future. Once a vital source of life and community, Umeälven’s now represents an obstacle and an empty void during the coldest months. This project aims to reconnect Umeå’s residents with their river throughout all seasons, transforming it from a barrier into a vibrant communal space.

The intervention begins at Årstidernas Park, a central and accessible location already providing summer connections to the water through a floating pier, green spaces, and seating areas. However, these connections vanish in winter, reducing the park to a grey passage into the city. By extending the park-promenade into the river, the project seeks to utilize the frozen river’s solidity to create unique opportunities for activities and gatherings with help of the river's different states of aggregation.

This new pier will offer spaces for both relaxation and activities on and in the water. One component of the intervention is to use the river as a performance stage for various events during winter, while in summer, it will convert into a regulated bathing area. Weather shelters will be provided for audiences, ensuring a clear and directed view of the ice stage. Additionally, a series of saunas will offer a private bathing experience, framing the direction of the river’s flow and its surface. This project envisions a year-round communal space that revitalizes Umeå’s connection to its river, fostering a sense of unity and interaction regardless of the season.