Located on a small plateau overlooking the beautiful Jostedalen glacier in the western part of Norway, Tungestølen is a series of wooden tourist cabins. These wooden cabins are designed by renowned architecture firm Snøhetta for Luster Turlag, a local branch of the Norwegian National Trekking Association. The new cabins have replaced the 100-year-old cabin that used to sit on the same site but was badly hit by the cyclone in 2011.
Luster Turlag and the small local village of Veitastrond had collected funds for the rebuild and initiated an international architectural competition that Snøhetta won in 2015. Taking the original cabin as the base, the firm designed nine pentagonal and oblique cabins that are made from wooden glue-lam frames, covered by sheets of CLT and clad in ore pine.
Snøhetta has designed the cabins as an architectural reaction to the changing weather conditions of the mountainous site. One cool design element is the beak-like shape of the outward-facing walls of the cabins that slow down strong winds sweeping up from the valley floor.
The main cabin at Tungestølen has large glass windows and high ceiling that provide panoramic views of the surrounding and make the cabin feel spaciousness. In the cabin, guests can enjoy collective meals on generous wooden tables that are also a highlight in the living space. The main cabin also has a cozy lounge with a large stone-clad fireplace.
The remaining cabins of Tungestølen are dormitories and smaller private units that can accommodate approximately 30 visitors comfortably. Wood is used chiefly in this project and one can experience a rustic feel inside the cabins.
Surrounded by a dramatic landscape with steep mountains on all sides, Tungestølen makes up a comfortable place for adept hikers, as well as families with small children looking for less advanced hikes in the region.
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As per the statement on its Facebook page, Snøhetta announces Tungestølen is once again open for tourists this summer.
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