reiulf ramstad completes norwegian mountaineering center with pixelated envelope

anchored to the harbor of åndalsnes, a small town in norway, oslo-based architecture firm reiulf ramstad has completed a mountaineering center six years prior to winning the competition in 2009.

the characteristic form can be seen from a distance
image © andrç

the 900 sqm facility by reiulf ramstad arkitekter features a climbing hall with a boulder room, changing rooms, exhibition spaces, café, library, auditorium and administration facilities. the interior programs had helped shape and influence the resulting asymmetric structure, leading to the overall characteristic volume to invoke a geometrical expression. additionally, the center spans across two floors, with the climbing wall housed at the highest point of the building. the pixelated envelope features a checkered pattern of timber and metallic panels, highlighting the location’s famous train tracks of raumabanen and the station area of the town center.

the design is based on its function as a mountaineering center and gathering place for locals and visitors
image © sören harder

the exhibit spaces showcase areas highlight the history and factors of mountaineering
image © sören harder

an angled display wall mimics the mountain topography
image © sören harder

windows frame the landscape outside
image © sören harder

the interior climbing wall
image © sören harder

lower ground auditorium space
image © sören harder

there are minimal openings that interrupt the façade
image © sören harder

an alternating pattern has been used on the envelope to reference the rain tracks of raumabanen
image © sören harder

the entrance is marked by large glass doors on the ground floor
image © andrç

image © sören harder

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