snøhetta begins construction on ship tunnel through norwegian coastline

construction begins on snøhetta‘s entrance for the mile-long ship tunnel which will introduce a safe passage for large vessels along the turbulent coastline of norway‘s stad peninsula. the project was first commissioned in 2016 by the norwegian coastal administration as the first of its kind in the world, while first images were revealed in 2017. the tunnel measures 36 meters (118 feet) wide and 37 meters (121 feet) high. although a similar ‘rove’ tunnel was built in france in 1927, it accommodated only small barges, measuring only 22 meters (72 feet) wide and 11.4 meters (37 feet) high. the project is now moving ahead. if all goes to plan, the first ship will sail through the tunnel by 2025 or 2026.

image by snøhetta / plompmozes

the team at snøhetta celebrates the coastal context, though treacherous, by merging the natural and cultural landscape with the ship tunnel’s large scale. the stad sea is a dangerous stretch with challenging ocean currents and underwater topography. the resulting complex and unpredictable wave conditions combined with strong wind result in a very demanding part of the coastline. high waves coming from different directions can create critical situations for boat traffic. the waves can stay behind several days after the wind has died down, making sailing conditions difficult even on days with little wind.

image by snøhetta and plomp

with its integrated natural and cultural elements, snøhetta’s ship tunnel seeks to avoid becoming a ‘foul intervention’ in the landscape. the cultural landscape of the region is dominated by characteristic stone walls, forming clear lines in the cultivated forest. these rusticated stacked stone walls introduce softened horizontal lines, providing a gentle visual impression as they blend in as natural elements of the landscape. these stone walls are brought into the design of the entrances, creating slightly sloping terraces. these terraces are built into the stone, carved out of the mountain where the tunnel is created. using strategies of wire-cutting and blasting, the terraces will have a naturally rough form within the precise geometry of the horizontal lines. in addition to creating a link to the area’s cultural landscape, the geometry is also highly beneficial for the structural stability of the portal.

image by snøhetta and plomp