Article source: Snøhetta 

Europe’s first underwater restaurant will welcome guests in Lindesnes, Norway on March 20th, 2019. Located at the southernmost point of the Norwegian coastline, where the sea storms from the north and south meet, the project is situated at a unique confluence. Marine species flourish here in the both briny and brackish waters to produce a natural abundance in biodiversity at the site. The Snøhetta-designed restaurant also functions as a research center for marine life, providing a tribute to the wild fauna of the sea and to the rocky coastline of Norway’s southern tip.

In Norwegian, “under” has the dual meaning of ”below” and ”wonder”. Half-sunken into the sea, the building’s 34-meter long monolithic form breaks the surface of the water to rest directly on the seabed five meters below. The structure is designed to fully integrate into its marine environment over time, as the roughness of the concrete shell will function as an artificial reef, welcoming limpets and kelp to inhabit it. Lying against the craggy shoreline, the structure’s half-meter-thick concrete walls are built to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions. Like a sunken periscope, the restaurant’s massive window offers a view of the seabed as it changes throughout the seasons and varying weather conditions.

Image Courtesy © IVAR KVAAL

• Architects: Snøhetta
• Project: “Under”, Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant
• Location: Lindesnes, Norway
• Photography: IVAR KVAAL, Fotograf Stian Broch, Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge, André Martinsen
  
• Client: Lindesnes Havhotell (Stig Ubostad and Gaute Ubostad)
  
• Main Contractor: BRG Entreprenør AS
  
• Structural Consultants For The Entire Project: Asplan Viak AS
  
• Consultants on Wave Impact: CoreMarine
  
• Fire Consultants: Drag AS
  
• Acoustic Consultants: Brekke & Strand Akustikk AS
  
• Gross Area: 495 sqm
  

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