The Norwegian island of Sotra is currently seeing major population growth. The proposal includes modernisation of the town of Straume, Sotra's main town, and the core of the project is a new festival square for large public events and happenings, as well as a striking new high-rise building adjacent to the square, for a conference centre, offices and hotel. The festival square and the architecture around the square are the town's new, throbbing heart, with one of Norway's largest shopping centres as its neighbour. The new square is inspired by the surrounding countryside and brings it right into the heart of the town with green gardens and watercourses that make the town's centre a good experience. The square slopes slightly inwards towards a circular centre, which is perfect for concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events, with amphitheatre seating along one side of the circle. The square creates a spacious, aesthetic experience which incorporates functional requirements such as seating and a central gathering point, for example for Norway's national day on 17 May.