Lookout in Aurland

Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen, two architects residing in Norway, designed a 33 meters high lookout that reminds of a ski jump. The lookout project was part of the national program for reconstruction of touristic roads in the area of Aurland fiord. The perfection of the surrounding nature should not be disturbed by the new building. The lookout stands right above a small city of Sogn og Fjordane situated three hours away from the second biggest city of Norway, Bergen. The architects won the competition of the lookout project and in cooperation with a construction firm Node Engineers they finished the building at the end of 2005. The lookout opened up to the public in the summer of 2006. The project is interesting for its simplicity and elegance, as levitating above the beautiful scenery. The structure 4 meters large and 300m long rears up to 9 meters. The final design did not intervene the peaceful atmosphere of the place. All pines that surrounded the parcel were preserved and nowadays they create an interaction between the construction and the wild.