This wooden viewing cabin raised on stilts above the rugged landscape of southern Norway was designed by TYIN Tegnestue – the Trondheim office that also recently completed a top-heavy house extension (+ slideshow).
Inhabitants of the remote Norwegian district of Lista enlisted TYIN Tegnestue to create a tourist attraction that would show off the scenic landscape to potential investors, as part of a strategy addressing the accelerated migration that has become a problem for the region.
"We decided the best way to go about this would be to create a physical structure in the midst of the sand dune landscape, so potential investors and decision makers can experience the beautiful and unique nature of Lista firsthand," the architects explained.
With the help of architecture students from Mexico and Norway, the designers worked on site to design Lyset paa Lista – a building that frames views of sand dunes and windswept grass stretching towards the horizon.
Each end of the small cabin is made up of windows and sliding doors that allow views directly through the structure, from the entrance passageway to the raised terrace at the opposite side. An overhanging roof offers shelter on both sides.
A 60-metre-long elevated path leads across uneven terrain to the cabin's entrance. It slopes gently along part of its length to ensure the cabin is accessible for able-bodied and disabled visitors.
"Our overarching idea of the project was to create a rigid construction that would stand out and form a contrast to the wildness of the Lista nature," said the architects. "The construction forms a straight line over very complex and uneven landscape."
To comply with regulations laid out by the local government, the structure was designed using materials that won't leave any lasting impact on the land if removed. Foundations were constructed from wooden poles buried in the sandy soil rather than concrete.
Solid wooden beams are suspended from the ceiling like swings to provide seating inside the cabin. One sits above the entrance and can be accessed via a ladder fixed to the wall.
During the three-week construction process, members of the community provided accommodation for the project team as well as food, material and access to tools and machinery.
Photography is by Pasi Aalto.
Scroll down for a project description from TYIN Tegnestue:
Lyset paa Lista
Lista is situated in the southernmost part of Norway, and it is home to some of Norway's most unique and fascinating landscape. The small region is troubled by increasing migration, a problem all too common in small, rural parts of Norway today. This particular project was born out of the desire to combat this development. This was to be done by showcasing the wild natural beauty of the area, hoping to draw investments and funding to Lista.
The client, or rather clients, was a group made up of 50 local landowners. The group is lead by Solveig Egeland, an enthusiastic and energetic woman whom has a great deal of passion for her local area. This group wants to realise the areas potential for tourism, an ambition they share with the local government. We decided the best way to go about this would be to create a physical structure in the midst of the sand dune landscape, so potential investors and decision makers can experience the beautiful and unique nature of Lista firsthand.
The group working with us on the project included architecture students from Mexico and Norway. We started out empty-handed, there were no sponsors, no government approval, no specific lot to work on and no housing for the project participants. The student group was very positive and easy to work with. The process can be described as typical TYIN, as design took place on the lot in tandem with the building process, guided by pragmatical factors such as material availability. The entire local community of Lista pitched in, helping with sleeping arrangements, providing food, materials and access to machinery. In just three weeks the project participants managed to create a sizable structure.
Our overarching idea of the project was to create a rigid construction that would stand out and form a contrast to the wildness of the Lista nature. The construction forms a straight line over very complex and uneven landscape. A wooden pathway running 60 metres in length ensures universal access to the small cabin found at the end of the structure. The cabin is optimised for enjoying the beautiful scenic landscape that surrounds it.
A prerequisite for the task placed on the project by local government was to abstain from the use of permanent materials. Any construction in this unique area has to be fully reversible. This ruled out the use of concrete in the foundation work. Our answer to this challenge was rooting poles deep into the sand ground, and then constructing on top of these. The hut is structured as a seamless continuation of the pathway. Our aim for the project is to kickstart a positive development in the area, helping it combat the migration problem. Shortly after the completion of the project, the local ground owners named it 'The light of Lista', referring to the dazzling natural light unique to this area.
Location: Lista, Farsund, Norway
Client: Hanangermona Grunneierlag
Project: Viewpoint
Cost: 300 000 NOK / 36 000 EUR
Area: 120 sqm
Built by: Students and TYIN
Universities: Tecnológico de Monterrey Puebla, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Students: Håvard Eide, Marco Antonio Aparicio Kirwant, Jonas Velken Kverneland, Margarita Cuesta López, Hildne Nessa, Henriette Bakke Nielsen, Fernanda Miranda Noriega, Monir Jiménez Fernández Rafaelly, Paulina Martínez Rodríguez, Kornelie Solenes, Rosalba Martínez Villaseñor, Sissel Westvig, Simen Andreas Aas,
Sponsors: Innovasjon Norge, Byggvell, Montér, Naust Bygg, NorDan, Optimalt AS, NTNU,