Zig-zagging pathways lead to viewing platforms perched high in the Norwegian mountains in this visitor facility designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects (+ slideshow).
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.
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.
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 - 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.
At the foot of the wall is a jagged glass restaurant, which Reiulf Ramstad Architects completed last summer.
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.
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.
See all our stories about the Norwegian National Tourist Routes »
Photography is by the architects, apart from where otherwise stated.
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.
This panoramic site can only be visited and constructed in summer, due to severe winter weather.
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.
All of these elements are molded into the landscape so that the visitor’s experience of place seems even more intimate.
The architectural intervention is respectfully delicate, and was conceived as a thin thread that guides visitors from one stunning overlook to another.
The RRA project will enhance the experience of the Trollstigen plateau’s location and nature.
Thoughtfulness regarding features and materials will underscore the site’s temper and character, and well-adapted, functional facilities will augment the visitor’s experience.
Above: photograph is by diephotodesigner
The architecture is to be characterised by clear and precise transitions between planned zones and the natural landscape.
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.
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)
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)
Civil Engineer: Structural Engineer: Dr Techn. Kristoffer Apeland AS, Oslo Norway
Design year: 2004-2011
Construction year: 2005-2012/ Official Opening 2012
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
Everything about this project is wonderful. I normally dont like the use of corten steel, but when used right is is beautiful, the colours work so well with the landscape. Lovely.
Really nice project. The site is amazing and gorgeous.
It’s quite the challenge, achieving a harmonious architectural balance. One that neither imposes itself to the detriment of its environment, or that defers so entirely to its landscape as to appear inconsequential.
Yet here, the architecture defers entirely to the landscape, and yet isn’t inconsequential. It would’ve been so easy to have constructed something that was so intrusive, so ill considered, so unsympathetic that it tamed, or indeed sanitised its environment.
The dramatic environment tempers the angular man-made aesthetic and the resultant effect is startling, and surprisingly organic.
And it is that intersection, that makes this project all the more remarkable. A quite immense achievement, beautifully realised.
We came across this wonderful project in June 2011. Extraordinary landscape and confident architecture. Well done Reiulf and your team. Credit also to the Norwegian Roads Administration for the National Tourist Routes project. Just along the road is the Gudbrandsjuvet by Jensen & Skodvin which was another enjoyable find.
Well conceived showcasing of the best in installations, architecture, artistry, nature … an all-in experience. Looks awesome. A grand tour indeed. Definitely on my need to visit list.
I had the pleasure of experiencing this last fall before the visitor center had been completed. It truly is one of the most breathtaking places I've ever been. The integration of architecture and earth is seamless.
Rare to see architecture worthy of such breath-taking surroundings. Impressive stuff.
“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.”
What complete and utter bollocks!
I see a mythically gorgeous landscape savagely brutalized by tonnes of poured concrete and steel scaffolding – I guess minimally invasive fortifying of walkways with local stones wouldn't look nearly as sexy in the architectural firm's portfolio.
Extra-wide concrete condo balcony style landings, all for what – two months of use out of a year – to make it accessible for literally tens of extra-wide american toursit? Barbarian.
This is very wonderful. l will love to visite this place but when will it be open to public?
We threw the neighbours cat over somewhere up there in the mist, he still came back.
I was just there two weeks ago. The most amazing experience ever. I loved the restaurant – it blends into the environment so well.
Even if these projects are excellent, Norway is a very beautiful country in its own right with stunning scenery, perhaps the most beautiful in the world, with its wide-range soft white sandy beaches and in 30 minutes one is up amongst the glaciers.
Anyone know why they manipulated the waterway in front of the visitor center? I’m hoping that there was a functional purpose… The decision to make jagged tiers seems like a bit of an offense to ecological health.
I’m also torn about the fact that so much energy put into making a steel and concrete walkway that isn’t even accessible. The project is certainly stunning as an object, but seems to transform the beautiful setting into more of an amusement park than a place appropriate for immersion into the environment.