Viewpoint Snohetta — Tverrfjellhytta
The outstanding pavilion

Viewpoint Snøhetta

Hjerkinn

08.10.2018

Wild Reindeer observation pavilion

I have never thought that places such as a reindeer observatory exist. Probably, most of us would go there to see these animals, but I have visited this place mainly for architecture. What is more, there is not only an opportunity to meet a reindeer. A local site informs tourists how to behave properly during the meeting with another inhabitant of the region - Musk ox. The musk ox is a very furry, horned and sometimes aggressive creature, which on the one hand I really wanted to meet, but on the other, I did not want to be too close to them to avoid being attacked. Unfortunately, I could not manage to see any of the animals, but it did not bother me to spend over 4 hours on taking pictures of everything that was in my sight range. Check the effect out and grab a piece of information about the pavilion.

In the middle of the end of the world

I’ve been spending a few months in Norway. This gave me the opportunity to visit the pavilion. Although I was living in a completely different part of the country, I did not give up and went there at the beginning of October 2018. The pavilion is located in Hjerkinn, approx. 170 km far away from Trondheim and approx. 370 km from Oslo. It was created in the remote natural park - Dovrefjell. There is literally nothing in Hjerkinn, except for a railway station, a museum, several farms and a trekking path leading to the pavilion. You can get there by car or by train, which runs 3-4 times a day.

Architecture and nature at the highest level

As soon as we get off at the railway station, there is an opportunity to admire the beautiful views from every side. The closer to the pavilion, the more interesting a landscape is and mountains become more formidable. The hiking trail is 1.5 km long and starts from a car park. It is not difficult, but steep. The pavilion is located at 1200 m above the sea level and was designed by the most famous Norwegian architectural office - Snøhetta, which names itself after one of the highest mountains in Norway located in this region. Opened in 2011, it is a great viewpoint for the Tverrfjellet mountains. Currently, it is commissioned by Norwegian Wild Reindeer Center North.

The idea

According to the architects, the building is based on a contrast between two ideas - an acute, rigid outer shell and a soft, warm and organic interior. The wooden core was carved like a rock that was eroded by the wind and the water.

Mirror for the mountains. Construction and interior

The box-shaped pavilion has a steel structure. From the side of the hiking trail, the façade has been covered with curved wood. You get the impression that here the wood begins to heave and goes inside more and more curving. From the side facing to mountains, the whole façade has been glazed in a way to offer a transparent, clear and unobstructed view from the inside. From the outside, the view of the mountains reflects in the windows. It creates a spectacular effect. The building is like a mirror for the mountains. There is a huge, wooden, organic sculpture inside, which acts as a 3-level tribune. In one of the corners, we can find an anthracite chimney hanged just above the floor. This stuff is a characteristic point of an interior. The architect used absolutely minimal amounts of support elements to fix the glazing.

The theater

I was lucky. Black clouds were hanging over me all the time during my return trip but it didn’t rain at all. What's more, a low and warm sun with a combination of black clouds have given a spectacular show. I've never had the opportunity to experience such a beautiful scenery before.