Aurland Lookout Norway

Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen

The viewing platform offers spectacular views over the Aurland fjord on Norway’s rugged west coast.

It consists of a 30 m long ramp that extends into space before curving downward toward the fjord 600 m below. At the platform’s end, an almost invisible glass balustrade heightens the sense of being in midair, creating a mixture of exhilaration and fear that sees many visitors stopping halfway out. The architects chose a strong form yet minimalist concept that sympathises with the immediate environment. Pine trees surround the structure producing the sensation of walking through treetops into the expansive view. The 4 m wide pine deck is supported by laminated bentwood sides produced in the Netherlands. These cut a strong line through the air before flowing into a seamless downward curve onto steel supporting arms bolted into buried concrete footings. The form and structure of the lookout are combined through the use of laminated timber to create a simple and elegant expression that fits seamlessly into its environment. This amazing structure draws visitors up the mountain, and has become an icon in Norway since its completion.

Location:

Aurland, Norway

Awards:

Norwegian Construction Prize 2006

Reference:

Architectural Review, December 2006, p86