Snohetta’s Eggum Tourist Stop Celebrates the Norwegian Landscape with Local Materials

The <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/lofoten" target="_blank">Lofoten tourist route</a> in the northern part of of Norway is a popular place to take in the vibrant landscape and never setting sun during the summer months. Along the route is the <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/lofoten/eggum" target="_blank">Eggum Tourist Stop</a>, designed by Oslo-based firm <a href="http://www.snoarc.no/#/projects/52/true/landscape/image/302/" target="_blank">Snøhetta</a>. The firm won a commission in 2004 to roll out a site-sensitive plan that improves the functionality and amenities of the spot. Using locally sourced driftwood and gabion baskets with stones excavated from the site, Snøhetta created a space that celebrates the landscape.

The <a href="http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en/lofoten/eggum" target="_blank">Eggum Tourist Stop</a> is located in the middle of the E10 Lofoten route on the north side of the archipelago.

The rest area has a car park and service facilities with views of the water and surrounding landscape.

It is known for being one of the best spots to observe the midnight sun.

<a href="http://www.snoarc.no/#/projects/52/true/landscape/image/302/" target="_blank">Snøhetta</a>'s design upgraded the rest area to accommodate more cars and busses while offering improved services.

The project consists of a service building contained within an amphitheater that holds restrooms and a small kitchen.

The terrain influenced the design of the site, and a concrete service building is built into the side of a hillside. Rock excavated to make a larger parking area was retained and used to fill <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabion">gabion baskets</a>, which form the retaining wall and amphitheater.

The concrete and rock construction matches the ruins of the radar station on the hill that was also built of morainic stone.

The entrance to the service building is made from locally sourced driftwood that was left untreated so it could weather and blend in with the surroundings. The rough and raw locally sourced materials give the facility a natural aesthetic.