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Trollstigen Tourist Route Project by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Zig-zagging pathways lead to viewing platforms perched high in the Norwegian mountains in this visitor facility designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects (+ slideshow).

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Above: photograph is by diephotodesigner

An angled concrete block at the entrance to the site contains waterside restaurant and gallery, while Corten steel pavilions are set in the ground alongside.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Above: photograph is by diephotodesigner

From here a footpath crosses the mountain river and leads to the lookout points, which are made of concrete, steel and glass.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

The facility, which opened last month, is one of five architectural projects along the Geiranger-Trollstigen tourist route, a 66-mile scenic road across the Trollstigen Mountain Plateau in western Norway.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Trollstigen - or "troll's ladder" - is regarded as one of Norway's most spectacularly beautiful areas and the tourist route across it is one of the country's most popular attractions.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

At the foot of the wall is a jagged glass restaurant, which Reiulf Ramstad Architects completed last summer.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Above: photograph is by diephotodesigner

See also our recent story about the architects' beachside walkway on the Havøysund trail, which is another of the 18 national tourist routes in Norway.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Stops on some of the other tourist routes that we've written about include public toilets in a rusty steel cabin and a memorial commemorating suspected witches.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

See all our stories about the Norwegian National Tourist Routes »

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Photography is by the architects, apart from where otherwise stated.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Here's some text from Reiulf Ramstad Architects:


Trollstigen National Tourist Route Project

Located on Norway’s west coast, Trollstigen is perched within a dramatic pass between the deep fjords that characterize the region.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

This panoramic site can only be visited and constructed in summer, due to severe winter weather.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Despite—or perhaps because of—the inaccessible nature of the site, the project entails designing an entire visitor environment ranging from a mountain lodge with restaurant and gallery to flood barriers, water cascades, bridges, and paths to outdoor furniture and pavilions and platforms meant for viewing the scenery.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

All of these elements are molded into the landscape so that the visitor’s experience of place seems even more intimate.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

The architectural intervention is respectfully delicate, and was conceived as a thin thread that guides visitors from one stunning overlook to another.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

The RRA project will enhance the experience of the Trollstigen plateau’s location and nature.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Thoughtfulness regarding features and materials will underscore the site’s temper and character, and well-adapted, functional facilities will augment the visitor’s experience.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Above: photograph is by diephotodesigner

The architecture is to be characterised by clear and precise transitions between planned zones and the natural landscape.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Through the notion of water as a dynamic element – from snow, to running and then falling water- and rock as a static element, the project creates a series of prepositional relations that describe and magnify the unique spatiality of the site.

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Location: Romsdalen - Geiranger Fjord, Norway
Program: National tourist routes project
Client: The Norwegian public roads administration
Commision type: Invited Competition 1st prize in cooperation with Multiconsult 13.3 landscaping (2004)

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Architects: Reiulf Ramstad Architects, Oslo Norway (RRA)
Reiulf Ramstad, Christian Skram Fuglset, Espen Surnevik, Anja Strandskogen, Nok Nimakorn,
Atle Leira, (Christian Dahle, Lasse Halvorsen, Helge Lunder, Karen Selmer, Tia Ginard Adover)

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Civil Engineer: Structural Engineer: Dr Techn. Kristoffer Apeland AS, Oslo Norway
Design year: 2004-2011
Construction year: 2005-2012/ Official Opening 2012

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects

Building area: 800 m2 (Mountain Lodge with restaurant and gallery), 950 m2 (Flood Barrier House)
Site: Building Site 600,000 m2
Time to build: 6 years
Type of construction: Corten steel and poured-in-place concrete

Trollstigen by Reiulf Ramstad Architects