eriksen skajaa architects + PUSHAK + bjorbekk & lindheim: saivu

‘saivu’ by eriksen skajaa architects + PUSHAK architects + bjørbekk & lindheim, bodø, nordland, norway all images courtesy of eriksen skajaa architects + PUSHAK architects + bjørbekk & lindheim

oslo-based practices eriksen skajaa architects, PUSHAK architects and landscape architecture firm bjørbekk & lindheim have collaborated to create ‘saivu’ the winning proposal for a competition to design gateway structures for sjunkhatten national park near bodø in nordland, norway. ‘saivu’ is a traditional word for the portal to a mythical world, derived from the language of the indigenous sami inhabitants. this entry sequence intends to produce a whimsical spatial experience joining three points of entry to the complex amidst the snow covered mountain peaks. program arrangenes parking, seating, information boards, locations for camp fires, playgrounds and toilets to accommodate visitors along with shelters for sleeping and other activities to interconnect the different areas.

cluster of shelters adjacent to a glacier and lake

a primary focus for the masterplan was to facilitate and increase general accessibility of the natural reserve for disabled persons and children. a visual interpretation of sami signs, the structures will be constructed with wooden frameworks and enclosed with canvas unifying the appearance of the public spaces with a common recognizable exterior. information disks for way finding will be formed from gold coated stainless steel and scattered throughout the site and trails.

saivu røsvik

‘we wanted to add a mythical layer to the experience of the nature in the sjunkhatten national park. to let the children read the nature as signs and fairy-tale.’

‘the northern parts of norway has a long history of tent-based nomad settlements. by choosing a modular structure system of wood and canvas we wanted to continue that tradition.’ – arild eriksen, partner of eriksen skajaa architects

construction detail

bridge in vulnerable nature

saivu symbol on a cairn

the golden information disk

plan of vatnvatnet gateway

plan of valnesfjord gateway

modules diagram

diagram of gateway sieve

diagram

project info:

project title: saivu status: 1st prize in an invited competition. client: sørfold, bodø and fauske municipality location: vatnvatnet, røsvik and valnesfjord in nordland, norway. program: three gateways to the sjunkhatten ”children’s” national park. project team: eriksen skajaa architects, pushak architects, bjørbekk & lindheim landscape architects.