A new elevated wooden boardwalk in Fyresdal, Norway invites visitors to embrace a simultaneous expression of exceptional design and environmental sustainability. Traversing the natural landscape, the six-feet wide boardwalk gracefully snakes from the forest floor, skirting the picturesque Lake Fyresvatn. It ascends amidst the lofty treetops, culminating at the majestic summit of Klokkarhamaren, all while protecting the environment against unnecessary harm.
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The one-kilometer long awe-inspiring trail, developed by architects EFFEKT in conjunction with local contractor Inge Aamlid, rewards visitors with a 50-meters-wide circular viewpoint. It provides a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the encompassing pine forest, nearby water and captivating rock formations.
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Of paramount importance is the commitment to environmental stewardship inherent in this project. The design of the wooden boardwalk is thoughtfully attuned to the natural topography of the mountain, meticulously following its contours. It gracefully adheres to the mountain’s ridges and slopes, while extending to create scenic viewpoints and exhilarating vantage points where visitors can relish the views in the open air of the treetops.
Beyond its aesthetic grandeur, the treetop walk is designed to ensure inclusivity. Crafted as a universally accessible pathway, it caters to pedestrians, cyclists, parents with strollers and individuals utilizing wheelchairs. The load-bearing structure, boardwalk and railing are meticulously fashioned from locally-sourced pinewood. This choice of indigenous materials harmoniously integrates the structure with the surrounding pine trees, creating an optical illusion of the boardwalk harmoniously suspended within the forest’s embrace.
To realize the vision of enhancing access to the region without compromising its integrity, the EFFEKT team and Aamlid devised a wooden building system that relies on small, straight prefabricated elements, streamlining the transport and assembly of the materials and ensuring minimal site impact during construction. Aamlid’s utilization of local timber and craftsmanship techniques serves as an homage to Fyresdal’s historical logging era, imbuing the project with a sense of heritage and regional authenticity.
Photography by Rasmus Hjortshøj
