The weekend, architect Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk commissioned by the Norwegian Public Roads administration (NPRA) opened a monumental step bridge above the Vøringsfossen waterfall in Norway.

The Vøringsfossen waterfall is one of the best-known waterfalls in Norway, which springs from the river Bjoreia west on the Hardangervidda Plateau — the largest national park in the Nordic region.

Massive amounts of water plunge 182 meters straight down through the Måbødalen valley, a narrow and wild valley that winds down to the softer and greener areas of Hardanger. The amount of water in the river is regulated in connection with power development during the summer season.
The new scenic route facilities designed by Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk continue a long tradition of exploring the relationship between architecture, technology, infrastructure, and nature.

The new Vøringsfossen step bridge opening, is a new step in process renovation of this area. A bridge with a span of 47 meters  and 99 steps, and a difference in height between each end of the bridge of 16 meters.

The entire step bridge is built in steel, has seven elements that hoisted in place by a crane and assembled on site. Its foundation is secured in bolts drilled into the rock.

The design paied attention many factors. While the structure must be safe and robust, the bridge must reflect the language of the pre-existing trail and the landscape, paying emphasis has been placed on the view and the experience it provide.
 

Descripción del proyecto por Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk

Vøringsfossen es la cascada más grande de Noruega y la tercera atracción turística más visitada, junto al Parque de Esculturas de Vigeland y el salto de esquí Holmenkollen en Oslo. El proyecto cubre una gran área, que incluye un centro de visitantes, una pasarela sobre la cascada, varios miradores e instalaciones de servicio. El área también incluye un hotel existente.

De la descripción del concurso:

- El borde entre la meseta de la montaña y el cañón forma la línea más significativa del sitio. Esta línea de borde define la cascada y explica la creación de la espectacular topografía. La impresión espacial del cañón tiene un poder abrumador y oscuro. La cascada se convierte en la imagen a la que se pueden conectar estas fuerzas.

La ambición del proyecto es convertir este evento en una experiencia de calidad. El proyecto abarca el cañón y la cascada. El sendero establece genera continuidad, persiguiendo constantemente nuevos puntos de vista, nuevos sonidos, espacios y estados de ánimo.

El principal desafío del proyecto es cómo realizar estructuras en el mismo borde de la roca. Los edificios y plataformas deben anclarse aproximadamente a 1,5 m del acantilado, tanto por las condiciones geológicas como para evitar costosos trabajos de andamiaje. La pasarela en escalera de 42 metros está diseñada en siete elementos prefabricados para ser montados en helicóptero.

Una parte importante del plan es también instruir sobre las especies de plantas locales y restablecer la vegetación vulnerable destruida por el tráfico pesado. El área será gestionada por animales que pastan.

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Collaborators
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Advisory engineer.- K. Apeland.
Rock protection.- Gjerden FJellsikring.
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Client
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Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
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Contractor
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Onsolvo AS.
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Dates
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2008-2020.
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Location
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Vøringsfossen waterfall, Hardangervidda national park, Norway.
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Carl-Viggo Hølmebakk. Born in Horten, Norway in 1958. Studied at the Oslo School of Architecture 1978-84 and at the Cooper Union, New York 1984-85. Worked at the architectural office of the Norwegian State Railways 1986-88.

He has taught at the Oslo School of Architecture and at the Rhode Island School of Design, and lectured at other schools of architecture. He has maintained a private practice in Oslo since 1992.

Hølmebakk was nominated for Mies van der Rohe Pavillion Award in 1996, 2000 and 2009 and has received several Norwegian architecture prizes. His recent work includes "Branntomta" commercial and residential buildings in the centre of Trondheim (as part of Team3, with Arne Henriksen and Jensen & Skodvin), Visitors Centre at "Bjerkebæk" museum in Lillehammer and Sohlbergplassen Viewpoint in the Rondane Mountain.

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