A truncated bridge into mid-air, designed by Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen, offers a spectacular view of one of the largest fjords on Norway’s west coast.

Google Earth 60 54' 25.59" N, 7 11' 30.03" E


There is something culturally ambivalent about the relationship between the peoples of northern Europe and nature. They respect its expressions, protect its untouched state and try to keep anthropogenic intervention to a minimum while fighting every form of pollution. Thus they seem devoted to maintaining a rapport of perfect and serene harmony with the environment.

Conversely, at times they like to compare their strength with nature, by introducing a carefully researched tension. They may even confront the theme of constructing in the most awesomely rugged scenery, as with this Norwegian project near Aurland, in the district famous for its spectacular fjords. In 2002 the public client invited three architectural firms to study the creation of a panoramic point situated on the jagged west coast.
The choice of site automatically implied a desire to enhance the landscape and create a deeply emotive and thrilling experience. The winning architects carried the sensational motive to the extreme, by designing a 30-metre-long ramp-like projection into empty space and treating tourists to a breathtaking experience. Lively and light, the wood-clad structure is a fine feat of engineering. But the core idea in the work of Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmsen was the dramatic experience of progressing from the mountainside into empty space, until halted in mid-air by a glass barrier at the end of the overhang. R.C.

Todd Saunders graduated in architecture in 1995 at the McGill University of Montréal. Since 1998 he has been working in his own professional practice, mainly focusing on the residential typology. He teaches at the Bergen School of Architecture (Norway) and in May 2006 will be visiting professor at the University of Quebec in Montréal. http://www.saunders.no

Tommie Wilhelmsen graduated in 2000 at the Bergen School of Architecture. Immediately afterwards he worked with the architectural studio 70°N in Tromsoe (Norway), and in 2001 he set up his professional studio.
http://www.tommie-wilhelmsen.no

Aurland Look Out, Aurland, Norway
Architects: Saunders Arkitektur & Wilhelmsen Arkitektur Todd Saunders, Tommie Wilhelmsen
Client: The Norwegian Highway Department (Statens Vegvesen)
Structural engineers: Node Engineers
Design competition 2002
Completion 2005


Photography by Todd Saunders
Edited by Rita Capezzuto

from Domus News Domus 890 March 2006


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my god ... this country is wonderful!