Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter
Naturum Laponia, a visitors center in Laponia, Sweden, was a competition entry designed by Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter last year. A naturum is a visitor centre with activities and exhibitions, located in connection with several of Sweden’s national parks and nature reserves.
More images and architect’s description after the break.
The building rises from the ground into a distinct silhouette that let the visitor centre both stand out and connect to the vast north Swedish mountain area. Contruction is inspired by the use of natural and recyclable materials that the Sami people have developed for their nomadic life. The interior consist of a series of spaces under the undulating ceiling, opening up to the view of the hilly landscape and the Stuor Muorkke water falls.
I can already imagine X Games Organizers scoping this place out for the next X Games! That roof line is so tempting and perfect for several events: Freestyle Moto-X and BMX Freestyle Big Air are definite possibilities!
Reminds me a lot of J. Mayer H.’s Danfoss building.
http://www.archdaily.com/13496/danfoss-universe-j-mayer-h-architects/
The rendering doesn’t show the handrail that is going to be needed on the ends where the building flows into the landscape. I wonder how they will solve that security issue / regulation.
I like the wood :-)
It is also similar to the roof profile of the Elbe philharmonic hall by Herzog de Meuron. http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature223.htm
The profile of this project is stunning; however, it begs the question: what forces generated the form? Is it arbitrary or somehow a product of unseen criteria posed by the program or landscape? While this may just be an oversight of the summary, but I personally would like to know more about how this unique form was conceived. On a separate note, the interior perspectives could use some thought as it appears a little barren. The wood might be a little overwhelming; would it help to introduce a secondary material? Thoughts?
jurgen meier called, he wants his design back.
It is good– better than jurgen meyer: simpler and better related to the ground.
jurgen replicates the same shape in section and plan, apparently to blend between the two conditions. But the change of material between facade and ground has the opposite effect: to differentiate.
T&VH gets it right: the plan and section have different shapes, but they are well connected through materiality and geometrical tanjency. There is no need to show monolithic 3d-printed resin models in order to express the desire to blend with the ground…that desire is achieved in the building itself.
also the relationship between the exterior form and the interior spaces is more interesting here, since the overall gesture is legible in both cases, but produces different affects. for jurgen, the interior spaces become secondary to the hyper-formalized exterior. In the end, the building remains a shape… but the shape is never inhabited.
my humble opinion:
jurgen meyer can wait on hold, his design likes it better here!
J. Meyer H.
H & de M.
Why not throw Oscar Niemeyer’s Serpentine Pavilion in for good measure?
Or a bedouin tent?
All architecture has precedent. Even blobitecture.
So what?
It’s like saying any circular building is a copy of the Pantheon.
I agree that this design does have similarities to the Jurgen Meyer; however I feel that Naturum Laponia has a much stronger context and this is reflected in the form of the design. It is reminiscent of mountain silhouettes or timber stacks, synonymous with Nordic countries such as Sweden. I really hope that the architects find a way to keep the interior as stark as the renders appear simple plywood sheets on the walls and ceiling would look fantastic if they were to meet seamlessly. especially with that undulating ceiling. Also hope they manage to negate the h&s issues surrounding balustrades on the roof – how about a strip roof light to define accessible areas….
That roof would be awesome for a half pipe in winter as well!!
12:24 PM Feb 8th
A naturum is a visitor centre with activities and exhibitions Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter http://is.gd/7X1aw
12:42 PM Feb 8th
Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter: Naturum Laponia, a visitors center in Laponia, Sweden, was a… http://bit.ly/aXBkC8
2:20 PM Feb 8th
Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter http://bit.ly/aS0qxU
8:59 AM Feb 9th
Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgård Hansson Arkitekter: http://url4.eu/1LxZj
9:02 AM Apr 7th
Architecture #Architecture: Naturum Laponia / Tham & Videgå Hansson Arkitekter… http://bit.ly/bNhhX6