For almost 20 years, SNA has contributed to the shaping of Faroese architecture. Selmar Nielsen, Architect MAA, founded his architectural firm in 2001, and has been in charge of the management ever since.
SNA is Faroese based with its headquarters in Torshavn and has approximately 20 employees. The distinctive environment of the capital, and its proximity to the combative nature, is the firm’s most vital source of inspiration. SNA spans widely in architectural categories, and is known for having designed and projected several distinctive buildings, including quite extensive and complex projects, ranging from urban planning to teaching and institutional buildings, and various commercial buildings. Thus, SNA has contributed to the development of the Faroese society with vital functions, such as electricity supply, hospital building, schools, nursing homes, and our international airport.
In 2015, SNA established a design studio in Copenhagen, bringing the firm closer to the Danish market, and enabling it to solve tasks in Denmark as well. In 2017, SNA merged with the architectural firm, Árni Winther Arkitektar. The merger followed a several long collaboration in the consortium Faerport. With the merger, the firm was able to preserve its cultural identity and extend its many competencies and virtues.
We are proud to have a practical approach to any task. We believe in the subtle qualities that architecture can achieve through real basic practicalities. The Faroe Islands is a place bound by circumstances which challenges the architecture itself. The challenge being a composite of the harsh environment - weather, wind, and size - refers to something unique Faroese.
Our purpose is to create architecture that satisfies future requirements for function, environment, sustainability, and interaction with the local environment. We understand and respect the Faroese needs regarding weather, ecology, and function. Simultaneously, we work consciously with humanistic architecture in interaction with the architectural form and idea.
The goal in all our work is to solve diverse construction projects in a manner that meets the needs and promotes the well-being of builders and users. Our team is strong in the initial phase and is highly skilled in the process of grasping the user's wishes, and implementing them into the project.
Cover Photo: Finnur Justinussen.