white arkitekter: visitor centre vattenriket

‘visitor centre vattenriket’ by white arkitekter,  kristianstad, sweden image © åke e:son lindman all images courtesy of white arkitekter

swedish practice white arkitekter has designed the ‘naturum vattenriket’ a visitor centre within a nature reserve just outside of kristianstad, sweden. across the river helge positioned a few hundred meters from the urban center, the structure becomes a visible landmark within a wetlands reserve. dedicated to waterfowl, the building screens the lake side of the site from visitor reception. two timber bridges approaching from the east and west lead across the grasses, bushes and reeds, merging close to the center. the western path leads to the structure while the eastern walk is recessed similar to a nest into the landscape.

timber bridge leading to the center image © åke e:son lindman

the drastically fluctuating water levels required the building to be raised four meters above ground to reduce the risk of flooding. the additional height creates ideal views of the wildlife and native vegetation from the upper level observation terrace. the fan-shaped exhibition room opens to the scenery while the southern elevation is layered with pillars, glazed panels and sun shades to filter the direct sunlight into a soft illumination. wood is the primary material choice as the facades are clad with heat-treated pine and the interior is surfaced with a pale pine.

lower and upper bridge image © åke e:son lindman

cafe image © åke e:son lindman

stairs leading to observation terrace image © åke e:son lindman

view from the river helge image © åke e:son lindman

aerial view image © patrik olofsson

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

axonometric

project info:

head architects: fredrik pettersson and niels de bruin client: kristianstad kommun white’s expertise: architecture, landscape, sustainability, exhibition size: 1050 m2 timber bridge: 315 metres cost: 96 million SEK