Tverrfjellhytta, Norwegian Wild Reindeer Pavilion by Snohetta
a rigid outer shell and a soft, organic inner core
The Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion is located at Hjerkinn on the outskirts of Dovrefjell National Park, overlooking the mountain Snøhetta. The 90 m² building is open to the public and serves as an observation pavilion for the Wild Reindeer Foundation educational programmes. A 1.5 km hiking trail leads visitors to this spectacular site overlooking the Dovrefjell mountains.
The Dovrefjell mountain range forms a barrier between the northern and southern parts of Norway. It holds a unique place in Norwegian consciousness through a wide range of tales and myths connected to the mountains, and has a long history of travelers, hunting, mining, and military activities has left its mark on this landscape.
The building design is based on a contrast between ideas - a rigid outer shell and a soft, organic inner core. The wooden core is shaped like rock or ice that has been eroded by natural forces like wind and running water, and is placed within a rectangular frame of raw steel and glass.