Laate Falls attraction center
mmw architects of norway (together with landscape architect Hege Mikkelstuen mnla) have been participating in a competition developing the National Tourist Roads as a tourist attraction in Norway.
Norwegian Public Roads Administration is in charge of the competition where the goal is to strengthen Norway as a tourist destination.
mmw architects of norway (and Grindaker AS) were given the site Laate Falls ( Låtefoss) in Hardanger, situated in the heart of Western Norway.
Our suggestion for a new footbridge crossing the river and a café will be built in the nearby future.
Todays situation
Laate Falls attraction centre is situated as an entrance to the National Tourist Road Hardanger along Rv 13, 15 km south of Odda centre. Travellers from south and north are today parking on the west side of the highway. In this area it is also a kiosk and a toilet. Todays situation is characterized by trafical problems in the high season. The parking lot is placed so that the visitors have to cross the highway in an area with poor visability and logistic. Both the existing café and viewpoint are small and worn. The visitors stays in this area and on the existing bridge to take pictures. The area west ot the highway is also a popular sight because of the old and beautiful bridge in front of the waterfall.
Program
The National Tourist Roads are supposed to be where tourists can experience the ultimate in Norwegian nature.
With this in mind, we have not added any new features, but tried to expand the program by giving the visitors an even greater nature experience.
We have tried to solve the problem by developing a long and safe area for visitors on the basis of the situation and atmosphere. It has been important for us, as a part of our program, to give the visitors a possibility to bring home the most famous trofees, i.e. “The photo with the two falls and the old stonebridge”.
The main activity will be to step out of the car, use the senses; see, listen, smell and feel the nature.
A simple, but also a rich place to experience the wilderness with clear limits from car to nature.
In addition to organize good trafical logistics in this area, we want to give the Laate Falls a comprehensive identity that connects architecture to the natural attractions in the area.
Making the bridge, we have used the pattern as a starting point for a structural system. The pattern creates openings where you get a view of the stunning Laate Falls. In the café we have used the pattern as ornament in the concrete retaining wall that follows the ground, and in the ceiling to catch the reflection of the daylight.
The project wants to highlight the topology and geology in this area by using the dramatic nature in the architecture.
We want to make an attraction centre with many new and different experiences, but also as a natural phenomenon with no “interference” of modern contructions.
Vegetation
It`s recommended to clean up todays forest to clarify the dramatic mountain and the new project.
Inspiration
The project uses two identical elements from the culture of this region.
1. Fruit trees
Haranger is known for the flourishing nature. We will plant different types of fruit trees in the area.
2. Hardanger Embroidery
Inspired of the Hardanger Embroidery, a type of whitework that takes its name from the region, we have made a suggestion for a new bridge across the river and a new café close to the parking lot. The embroidery is made with geometric designs of blocks, diamonds and other embroidery techniques. We have tried to translate this geometry into an architecture with hints of cultural heritage. By doing this we have tried to accomplish a greater consistency between the architectural elements.
There are four different architectonic levels in this theme:
1. the bridge construction over Storelva
2. the railings of the bridge and the viewpoint of the Laate Falls
3. the skylight in the café/servicebuilding
4. the ornament of the walls, seats and benches