Landskapsfabrikken AS - Inge Dahlman
Hellåga rest area is located on the northern shore of the Sjona fjord, with a view towards the archipelago in the west. This project was developed on the site of a previous rest area. The main intention of the landscape architect was to reflect the long lines of the mountain formations on the other side of the fjord, as well as to improve accessibility to the water’s edge. The rest area was designed on the basis of two different impressions of the landscape. From the large gravel-covered terrace the view opens to the immensity of the landscape, with the ocean and the mountainsides, and across the fjord to the sky and the view of the archipelago. From the gravel terrace, visitors are guided down to the sea below, where benches are spread out over the rocks.
The main idea behind the design of this rest area was to raise a podium in the landscape to reflect the ocean surface, the horizon and the mountains behind the site. A long concrete terrace has been placed on the promontory near the open ocean. The groups of furniture on the terrace are placed in a rotated fashion, so that visitors must actively choose their own position in relation to the surroundings. At the back, the rest area is bordered by a natural stone wall that establishes a precise visual delimitation towards the mountains and screens the site off from the road. The terrace and the tables are made of concrete, while the benches and walls are cut from local Lødingen granite at various stages of processing.
This rest area offers a magnificent view over the Austnesfjord and the chapel at Sildpollneset promontory. The chapel is one of the most frequently photographed spots in the entire Lofoten archipelago. Large numbers of visitors had completely eroded the vegetation. A wooden walkway was therefore built up to the top of the Austneset promontory. From the car park, a viewing platform has been established to provide access to the view also for those with reduced mobility.
The Folldal mines are an old mining community located on the Norwegian Scenic Route Rondane, built around the copper mine that was established in 1784. The Folldal mines are among Norway’s ten most important historical industrial sites, and the area is protected under the Cultural Heritage Act. The intervention has therefore been planned in collaboration with cultural heritage authorities and the Folldal Mines Foundation.
The assignment consisted in establishing an unmanned information point on the Rondane national park and the mining facility, to be located at the gravel site on the slag tip in front of the old mine, and moreover to organize the parking area and ensure an inviting access for visitors coming from the car park to the visitors’ centre. The attraction on the site is the historical mining community. The information point was given a plain and subdued design. The materials are mainly those primarily used in existing structures on the site: corroded steel, sand and gravel.
Kleivodden is located where the mountains of Andøya island plummet into the sea. From here, the view extends to the vastness of the ocean, sandy beaches, peaks and the cultural landscape around the village of Bleik. Kleivodden is a popular place for local people and visitors alike to stop and enjoy the view. Here, the sea, the sky and the light, not least the northern lights, are constantly changing. Previously, Kleivodden was a launch site for rockets. The assignment here was to clear the site, enable parking and – not least – establish an attractive vantage point.
Plain surfaces and stairs in polished concrete link the facility to the terrain, emphasizing the view and the landscape. The surfaces are broken by silky polished blocks of Lødingen granite, mirroring the light and the sky while serving as sturdy benches.
Ureddplassen can be accessed from the east or from the west. If you come from the west, you will be looking towards the inner end of the fiord, at green mountain sides and rocky peaks. When you arrive from the east, you will have a wide view of the sea and the horizon.
Ureddplassen was already an established rest area with a war memorial to the sinking of the submarine “Uredd”. The rest area is also a popular destination among local residents and tourists alike, coming to see the midnight sun or the northern lights.
The new rest area has been furnished with a wide viewing terrace in concrete. A wide set of steps, alternately for walking and seating, leads down to the beach area. The view from the steps is expansive, and the seating is well protected from traffic noise. What is unique about the design is that all concrete elements have soft, rounded shapes instead of straight edges. The soft lines continue in a wave-shaped concrete toilet building framing the view towards the north. The walls are of glass that is lit in the dark. The terrace has been furnished with seating benches in the characteristic marble from Fauske. The base of the monument is made of the same material and is well placed.
Grønsvik coastal fort is located in Lurøy Municipality with a view towards the Helgeland archipelago. The fort covers an area of approx. 87 000 m2 and consists of a number of gun positions, bunkers, mountain halls, close defence positions and barracks. The intention behind the project was to enhance and support the location of the museum and the coastal fort in the landscape, linking the current parking areas and the museum's outdoor areas together to create unity.
The access to the museum has been upgraded with a new parking and picnic area that welcomes arriving visitors. The design emphasises the interface between the museum and the location of the coastal fort, in order to attract visitors’ attention and invite them to check out the museum. The previous function of the place as a picnic area has been downplayed, and tables and seats are only found in the zone in front of the museum.
Walkways and signage facilitate public access. The beautiful coastal landscape, along with the museum, the fort and the outdoor area, form a great setting for the historic backdrop that this attraction represents.