along the sweeping coastal landscape of northern norway lies the rock formation of bukkekjerka, sacred to the indigenous sami people. the formation has historically been seen as a naturally sculpted altar and pulpit. it is a protected cultural monument as legend states that goats, interpreted as phantoms, appeared once a year to this natural altar, and that the sami people thus made sacrificial offerings at this site. since the mid 20th century the site has been the venue of an annual outdoor worship service, drawing travelers from throughout the district.

morfeus rest areathe folded slabs of the service facility’s concrete envelope mimic the jagged landscape condition

image by hugo fagermo / NPRA

 

 

travelers venture to bukkekjerka by way of the scenic route andøya which separates the jagged peaks and bluffs from the open sea to the west. as this site is the main stop along the route, the norwegian public roads administration (NPRA) has commissioned morfeus arkitekter with the design of a touristic rest area to be integrated into the geography. this picnic area and toilet facility opened to the public on thursday, 7 june 2018.

morfeus rest area
the delusive geometry of mirrored glass nestles into the concrete envelope
image by caroline støvring / morfeus arkitekter

 

 

while the rest area consists of different elements, including pathways and a footbridge directing visitors toward the lighthouses to the west, the most architecturally expressive element is the toilet facility. this service building, which integrates itself into the jagged language of its surroundings, is comprised of folded concrete slabs that envelop a volume of mirrored glass. from the exterior, this volume seemingly disappears and is read as a literal reflection of the bukkekjerka landscape. the envelope serves as a stark frame of this reflected view. the visitor discovers upon entering the facility that they are surrounded by one-way mirrored glass — the compact space is opened up to the surrounding vistas of the open sea and the northern ridgeline.

morfeus rest area
the sweeping landscape is exposed to travelers inside the compact toilet facility 
image by caroline støvring / morfeus arkitektermorfeus rest area
a concrete seating bench emerges from the rock face
image by caroline støvring / morfeus arkitekter