Vardehaugen has been commissioned to redesign the old viewpoint next to Vettisfossen, in collaboration with the National Park Manager and the local municipality.

Our ambition has been to challenge the idea of the classic lookout point and replace it with the idea of an insight point: A social place where hikers can experience the landscape in a diverse way and then share their thoughts and experience with each other.

A narrow pavilion (built in notched wood) curves around a bonfire, defining a natural shelter to rest and socialize after hours of hiking.

On the inside the pavilion serves as a compass, framing a variety of motives in the landscape, – from the rocks, heather and birch trees nearby, to the monumental mountains and waterfall in a distance.

Next to the openings a variety of graphic imprints (illustrations and text) tells of facts, stories and myths from the framed motives.

 

(Team: Aasarød / Kvalheim / Næss)