fortunen AS carves sculptural service center from stone in norway

near the picturesque skjervet waterfall in norway, a sculptural service center carved from natural stone has been constructed to serve as two restrooms and a small technical room. the river storelvi flows from a semi-open agricultural landscape, into a narrow channel formed by rock, finally dropping dramatically, creating the impressive two-step waterfall. meanwhile the building itself sits within a larger open landscape and takes advantage of wide views towards the steep mountains.

a sharp glazed section of wall opens towards the river, creating views over the moving water
image © steinar skaar 

completed by fortunen AS, the architects’ challenge was to accentuate and enhance the experience of the natural landscape, whilst not competing with it. in turn, the main concept was to promote the wilderness and make it more accessible without making many changes. the building appears as a small piece of the mountain, carved out of the rock and relocated to the other side of the riverbank. the shape makes it a non-house, being a sculpture of the solid rock. fortunen had a desire to create an interior distinct from its external setting. contrasting the outside solid rock, the internal walls are covered with deep, warm coloured plywood. a sharp glazed section of wall opens towards the river, creating views over the moving water, forest and mountains beyond which rises towards the sky.

the building appears to have emerged from the rock and relocated to the other side of the riverbank
image © steinar skaar 

local sourced, natural stone is the main material in the restroom building, service area and nature trails. the color scheme is carefully adapted to the environment, with robust designed fences in rebar (reinforcement iron) and benches in concrete. the architect’s and landscape architect’s intention was to create a gentle intervention that appear they already exist on the terrain, in spite of their contemporary character.

from the inside you are directly confronted with the river and the rocky landscape
image © fortunen

the interior is covered in pine plywood
image © fortunen

skjervsfossen (skjervet waterfall)
image © pål hoff 

the same stone has been used as the main material in the restroom building, service area and the nature trails
image © pål hoff 

project:

name: skjervet/skjervsfossen
location: granvin, norway
budget: approx. 1.5 m eur
project end date: 20.05.2016 (realisation: 2015)
area: 4 hectares
client: statens vegvesen, the norwegian public roads administration, national tourist routes in norway
architect/designers: landscape architect: østengen & bergo landscape architects
architect (restroom building): fortunen AS
project manager: nils johan mannsåker
collaborators: østengen & bergo landscape architects, fortunen AS

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