Jøssingfjord

The Scenic Routes road in Jæren is being extended south to Flekkefjord, passing through Jøssingfjord in the municipality of Sokndal. The area is known for its unique geology, barren landscapes, war history, and industry. The site is located on a hill above Jøssingfjord, surrounded by steep mountainsides. A small ridge encircles the parking area and shields the view to the fjord. The area around Jøssingfjord is part of the Unesco Magma Geopark. The anorthosite rock which is dominant on the site is called the «lunar stone» because of its presence on the moon.

We wanted to provide all visitors, regardless of mobility, the opportunity to move around the rock and experience the view of the fjord while gaining insight into the unique geology of the site. The project proposes a carved access path in the rock that facilitates the viewpoint and connects parking, rest area, and service building to the surrounding landscape. The path is created through careful wire sawing, and the extracted stone is used in the rest of the project. The edge of the cut becomes a natural seating bench along the curved path. The service building marks the entrance to the viewpoint and appears as a sharply cut block of stone. It has a polished concrete facade with anorthosite inserts and aggregate that will reflect the light from the sky. Two large blocks from the landscape cut are moved into the building and form the ceilings of the restrooms. The stone is only visible from the inside, creating a moment of surprise for the visitors.