Architecture to enjoy whales
Among the thousands of activities that can be done to enjoy Norway, are whale watching. In fact, some consider it "the country of the kingdom of the whales."
When we recently announced the opening of the first underwater restaurant in Europe located in Norway with a more than unique building. Today, we introduce the future new winning attraction by architecture studio Dorte Mandrup, the project «The whale» (The whale)
The studio has been selected to create an impressive building that will be the new tourist attraction in order to enjoy whales.
The project will be built on the island of Andøya, located some 300 kilometers within the Arctic Circle. Why? It is simply the perfect place to see these marine mammals in their natural habitat. Waters full of nutrients and a place of passage in the migration of these large sperm whales, it becomes the only place where you can almost certainly see whales.
Located by the sea, the design is born from the dramatic landscape of the region. Building, it will gradually rise from the ground itself forming a walkable roof that will invite visitors to walk on the roof and have an untouched view of the ocean, mountains, the midnight sun or the dance of the northern lights in the sky.
The curved roof will be covered with natural stone of the own region that with the passage of time underlines the connection between the building and the landscape. The construction not only blends into the landscape, but also reinforces its character and adds a complementary element.
The silhouette of the building recalls the tail of a whale out of the water, while its structure recalls its baleen that are in perfect communion with nature.
The silhouette of the building recalls the tail of a whale out of the water
The parabolic shape of the roof is defined by three high points on the ground, and the base is determined by the landscape below it. The interior will be used as a viewing area, offices, an exhibition area, a shop and a cafeteria.
The large windows that open onto the archipelago underline the connection between landscape and construction creating a visual connection between the exhibition spaces and the vast natural environment.
We remember that we already published an article about another viewpoint in Norway where we commented that it is the most beautiful rest area in the world.
Although currently the region already receives about 50,000 tourists a year looking for spectacular landscapes, forceful nature and the famous whales. The whale is expected to boost tourism in northern Norway.
"We will not only create architecture in another remarkable landscape, but we will also participate in increasing the understanding of whales and the preservation of marine life," says the architecture studio.
The project is poetic, understated and, at the same time, a very exciting and unusual building (Børre Berglund - Competition Jury)
Dorte Mandrup presents a design that "respectfully" links coastal space with the ambitious goal of protecting the marine environment and its wildlife through the most modern art, science and architecture. The project was the winner among 37 teams competing in The Whale AS competition, hoping that the new building will open to the public by 2022.
If you want to know more, from the Dorte Mandrup architecture studio we can see the scope of this future colossal building. (Image credits Mir.no)
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