Eriksen Skajaa Architects . Pushak Architects . Bjørbekk & Lindheim Landscape Architects

Saivu . new gateways to the Sjunkhatten National Park . Nordland

courtesy of Eriksen Skajaa Architects . Pushak Architects . Bjørbekk & Lindheim Landscape Architects

”Saivu” is a sami word for a portal to another world. Based on the magic realism of the sami people and their understanding of nature, the construction system of their ”lavvo”, and an interpretation of old sami signs, we made the proposals for three gateways to the Sjunkhatten National Park. The park has a focus on children and the jury found the proposal’s focus on the mythical fit suitable to enrichen children’s experience of nature. It is a dramatic and beautiful landscape close to Bodø in northern norway between fjords and snow covered mountain peaks.

The project consists of three separate entrance areas with information boards, toilets, camp-fire places, seating, playgrounds, parking and toilets. There is also a possibility of shelters for sleeping and other activities connected to the separate sites.

The main element of the project is the construction system of wood and canvas that will give a common expression to the elements in the park while making it possible to meet the challenges of the different sites. There is also a large horisontal information disk made of gold coated stainless steel. This disk will contain information about the park and can also be used independently of the gateway constructions.

1st place in invited competition 2011. Nordland, Norway.

This project is a collaboration between Eriksen Skajaa Architects (www.eriksenskajaa.no), Pushak Architects (www.pushak.no) and Bjørbekk & Lindheim Landscape Architects (www.blark.no).