Winding ribbonlike from the hills down to the craggy Arctic coastline, the new Havoysund Rest Stop in Norway is reason to stop in itself. Designed by Reiulf Ramstad, the rest stop is intended to enhance the walk from the roadway to the ocean below, with its interesting snaking structure providing another point of interest for visitors to the region. As well as operating as a walk way, the rest stop also offers a barbecue area where tourists and locals alike can pause for a picturesque picnic. The Ramstad team team explained that the rest stop is, “located in the extreme north of Norway, in a landscape almost lunar in its barren and inhospitable beauty, the facility should ideally be completely self-sustainable in terms of power input and waste output”. As such, the facility needs little to no maintenance to keep it operational and is designed to be accessible to all manner of visitors. The winding ramp allows for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchairs and is a stunning addition to an already incredible landscape.

Jack Smylie