warsaw-based architecture firm aleksander wadas studio has unveiled a new proposal for the national logging museum and competence center for wetlands in fetsund, norway. with an exposed wooden structure painted in bright red, the two-story building stands out among its natural surroundings, drawing visitors’ attention and inviting them in. 

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view from the river
all images courtesy of aleksander wadas studio

 

 

the new museum by aleksander wadas studio is formed as a volume that is slightly raised above the terrain, with the wooden structure strongly emphasized in the exterior. the wooden structural elements break down the scale, giving the building a sense of lightness and depth. the red paint of the exterior is inspired by the red-painted traditional scandinavian wooden buildings and makes the new museum distinguishable in both local and international contexts.

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opening to the glomma river, the design forms a strong relationship between the building and the water, offering visitors pleasant views at all times. the layout enhances this openness, with all main public functions -entrance hall, restaurant, auditorium and exhibition halls- being posititioned towards the water side of the building and the administration/employee and backdoor functions towards the land side.

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the ground floor of the building is designed to provide maximum flexibility. the exhibition halls allow immediate visual connection with the entrance area, making visitor’s circulation natural and easy. the building has two important main entrances- one from the water and one from the land, to further facilitate accessibility. on the north side of the premises, there is a green, modest entrance square, which serves as a waiting and gathering area for those who arrive by bus, car, or on foot, from the landslide. on the east side, there is an entrance for those arriving either by boat from the waterside.

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separation of the wooden structure from the facade creates a range of unique spaces in forms of covered terraces with exposed wooden beams and columns. these spaces are a sort of a buffer between the outside and inside, protecting from sunlight and rain. the structure spans over the main access area providing necessary cover for the entrances and the outdoor seating of the restaurant. along the exhibition halls the covered space offers possibilities for outdoor exhibitions or it can be a place to take a break from the exhibition.

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exhibition hall interior

 

 

the main material of the building is wood. wooden, exposed structure is present both in the exterior and interior of the building. the exterior main structural elements are painted red. the secondary, non-structural facade elements- mullions, facade shutters, solid panels- are in natural wooden color. the interior of the building is designed mainly with natural wood giving it a sense of warmth and softness. the wooden floors of the interior spill out of the building seamlessly turning into wooden exterior terraces. 

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entrance hall interior

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ground floor plan

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first floor plan

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longitudinal section

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facade axonometric view of the entrance area

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facade axonometric view of the restaurant area

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facade axonometric view of the exhibition area

 

 

project info:

 

name: national logging museum and competence center for wetlands in fetsund
architecture office: aleksander wadas studio
project team: aleksander wadas, weronika marek
renderings: piotr banak

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom