Lengthkentän

Lengthkentän is an elongated public square and cultural space located in the central district of the fictional Nordic city of Norvik. The name combines an English descriptor with the Finnish word kentän, meaning field or court, reflecting the site's long, linear geometry. Completed as part of Norvik’s urban renewal program, Lengthkentän functions as a civic hub for daily life, events, and informal gatherings.

The design emphasizes its length. The plaza stretches roughly 420 meters in a narrow profile, with a continuous seating edge along the perimeter and a central lawn that invites visitors to linger. Pavement is a light granite with timber boardwalks at strategic points, and a series of shade sails and vertical timber fins provide shelter without interrupting sightlines. A shallow water channel runs along the southern boundary, creating movement and a reflective surface that adds character during different times of day. A small performance stage sits near the western end, framed by art installations that rotate with exhibitions and community projects.

Lengthkentän is used for markets, outdoor concerts, fitness classes, and temporary art and design displays. It is part of a larger pedestrian spine that connects residential neighborhoods with transit hubs, schools, and cultural venues. Accessibility is a priority: the space is fully accessible, with bicycle lanes, frequent tram and bus stops nearby, and well-marked pedestrian routes.

The square is maintained by the city’s urban development authority and is governed by a public-space management plan that outlines maintenance, safety, and event programming.