

the recently completed ‘norwegian wild reindeer center pavilion’ in dovre, norway by oslo-based practice snøhetta has been shortlisted by the world architecture festival for an award in the display category. the 90 square meter observation pavilion is positioned within the dovrefjell-sunndalsfjella national park, the remaining home to wild reindeer herds. perched upon a plateau at an elevation of 1200 meters above sea level, the structure provides transient visitors with panoramic vistas of the prominent snøhetta mountain range.



entrance to pavilion | image © klaas van ommeren (also main image)

reminiscent of rock forms slowly eroded by wind and water processes, the undulating southern facade creates outdoor seating warmed by the sun’s rays. constructed with norwegian shipbuilding techniques in conjunction with advanced fabrication processes and machines, individual 10 inch square wooden beams were milled and assembled with pegs to produce the waving effect. a rigid rectangular frame clad with rusted steel blends into the surrounding landscape while the saturated pine tar treatment of the exterior planks announces its presence to mountain hikers. the interior wall of the gathering space provides additional benches with unobstructed views of the reserve through a floor to ceiling glass enclosure.



facade undulates to form outdoor seating

image © klaas van ommeren



fireplace provides warmth during harsh weather

image © klaas van ommeren



steel fins support glass facade

image © klaas van ommeren



steel ceiling, walls, and floor contrast the wood bench

image © klaas van ommeren



outward view of the park and mountains from the pavilion’s interior

image © klaas van ommeren



glass facade opens to the steep terrain and mountains

image © jan olav storli



view of glass facade from the mountain slope

image © snøhetta



approach to pavilion

image © snøhetta



floor plan / level 0

image © snøhetta



section

image © snøhetta



elevation

image © snøhetta



elevation

image © snøhetta

project info:

location: dovre, norway

floor area: 90sqm

project year: 2011

cost: 3.0 million NOK (norwegian krone)

architect: snøhetta

landscape architect: snøhetta

interior architect: snøhetta

project manager: knut bjørgum (landscape architect)

snøhetta team: kjetil t. thorsen, erik brett jacobsen, margit tidemand ruud, rune grasdal,

martin brunner (architects), heidi pettersvold (interior architect)

structural engrineer: dr.techn. kristoffer apeland as, trond gundersen

contractor: prebygg as

subcontractor (steel): lonbakken as

subcontractor (glass): skandinaviska glassystem ab

contractor (wood): djupevaag ship builders ab