snøhetta's wild reindeer center pavilion in norway

the recently completed ‘norwegian wild reindeer center pavilion’ in dovre, norway by oslo-based practice snøhetta has been shortlisted by the world architecture festival for an award in the display category. the 90 square meter observation pavilion is positioned within the dovrefjell-sunndalsfjella national park, the remaining home to wild reindeer herds. perched upon a plateau at an elevation of 1200 meters above sea level, the structure provides transient visitors with  panoramic vistas of the prominent snøhetta mountain range.

entrance to pavilion | image © klaas van ommeren (also main image)

reminiscent of rock forms slowly eroded by wind and water processes, the undulating southern facade creates outdoor seating warmed by the sun’s rays. constructed with norwegian shipbuilding techniques in conjunction with advanced fabrication processes and machines, individual 10 inch square wooden beams were milled and assembled with pegs to produce the waving effect. a rigid rectangular frame clad with rusted steel blends into the surrounding landscape while the saturated pine tar treatment of the exterior planks announces its presence to mountain hikers. the interior wall of the gathering space provides additional benches with unobstructed views of the reserve through a floor to ceiling glass enclosure.

facade undulates to form outdoor seating
image © klaas van ommeren

fireplace provides warmth during harsh weather
image © klaas van ommeren

steel fins support glass facade
image © klaas van ommeren

steel ceiling, walls, and floor contrast the wood bench
image © klaas van ommeren

outward view of the park and mountains from the pavilion’s interior
image © klaas van ommeren

glass facade opens to the steep terrain and mountains
image © jan olav storli

view of glass facade from the mountain slope
image © snøhetta

approach to pavilion
image © snøhetta

floor plan / level 0
image © snøhetta

section
image © snøhetta

elevation
image © snøhetta

elevation
image © snøhetta

project info:

location: dovre, norway
floor area: 90sqm
project year: 2011
cost: 3.0 million NOK (norwegian krone)

architect: snøhetta
landscape architect: snøhetta
interior architect: snøhetta
project manager: knut bjørgum (landscape architect)
snøhetta team: kjetil t. thorsen, erik brett jacobsen, margit tidemand ruud, rune grasdal,
martin brunner (architects), heidi pettersvold (interior architect)
structural engrineer: dr.techn. kristoffer apeland as, trond gundersen
contractor: prebygg as
subcontractor (steel): lonbakken as
subcontractor (glass): skandinaviska glassystem ab
contractor (wood): djupevaag ship builders ab