QINGHAO
YANG
PORTFOLIO
Norwegian Wild Reindeer Pavilion
digital design: module 1
Precedent Study
Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion
Snøhetta, 2011
By appointment of the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Foundation. Snøhetta has designed an observation and information pavilion at Hjerkinn in Dovre, Norway.
The spectacular site is located on the outskirts of Dovrefjell National Park at around 1250 meters above sea level, overlooking the Snøhetta mountain massif.
The main purpose of the 75m2 building is to provide shelter for school groups and visitors as mountain guides lecture about the unique wildlife and history of the Dovre Mountain plateau. Dovrefjell is home to wild reindeer herds, musk oxen, arctic foxes and a variety of endemic botanical species. A long history filled with travellers, hunting traditions, mining and military activities have left their mark on this land. Today, modern tourism and recreation continue to shape the cultural landscape of this place.
Dovrefjell also holds significant importance in the consciousness of Norway. National legends, myths, poetry, music, and pilgrimages celebrate the mystic, eternal, and grounded qualities of this robust place. The founding fathers of the Norwegian constitution are "agreed and faithful, until the fall of Dovre!” Natural, cultural and mythical landscapes form the basis of the architectural idea.
The building design is based on a contrast between a rigid outer shell and a soft organic-shaped inner core. A wooden core is placed within a rectangular frame of raw steel and glass. The core is shaped like rock or ice is eroded by natural forces like wind and running water. Its shape creates a protected and warm gathering place, while still preserving visitor’s access to spectacular views.
Modeling Process
02 NURBS vs. SubD
Approach A: After defining the vertical contour lines, the first method employed was to patch the actual surface from the lines, and this generates NURBS objects. While the generated surface based on this method is sometimes highly twisted based on the extend of bending angles.
Approach B: Reduce the amount of contour lines to patch smoothly and mesh the surface into SubD object. This allows flexibility when adjusting the curvature and bendings.
01 TRACING
To commence the process of modeling, the vertical contour lines are extracted from the source image of south elevation, separate them by distance of 50mm from each line, forming the 3D surface of the main timbered seating.
03 Controlling SubD Surfaces
Though the SubD approach is relatively easier to control, a disadvantage of creating SubD surfaces is the lack of accuracy. To maximise the accuracy of the modeling process, it is inevitable to adjust almost every small part of the SubD surface.
04 Correction
To refine the model, it is also important to make corrections based on the source drawings, by dragging the images into the SubD solid and match the lines on the drawings with modelled lines. After finishing the main timber seating, other parts of the pavilion is added on to end the modeling process
05 Structural Frame
Structural elements are modelled during the process. For this pavilion, the external steel panels are supported by the steel frame which consists of 5 steel columns and 32 steel beams. This defines the overall space of the pavilion.
Diagramminn
Main Isometric
The simplistic profile aims to reduce man-made elements, drawing people’s attention to the importance of the natural environment and local species including wild reindeer, musk ox and arctic fox. The structural design is based on a contrast between a rigid frame of raw steel and a soft organic-shaped internal core. The rippled timber core mirrors the curves of surrounding Dovre Mountains, creates a protected and intimate gathering space both in the interior and the south-facing external wall, while still preserving visitor’s access to spectacular views through the north-facing glass.
CIRCULATION PATH
The circulation path through the pavilion is defined by the spatial configuration, mostly by the curvature of the organic timber core. Visitors would primarily step into the entrance and look for a seat along the wood, or be attracted by the view and approaching the glass window. After staying for a time or being bored inside, they also wanna go outside to touch nature, thus forming a secondary path of circulation.
DOMAIN BY OCCUPANCY
As the purpose of this pavilion is to provide a shelter for school groups and visitors to know about the local wildlife and history, the pavilion provides major seating area at different levels for the visitors, and by manipulating the shape of the timber core, different view angles or orientations are defined by the curvature on the timber walls, creating diverse spatial experiences. For those who want to enjoy the wider landscape, they tend to be outside of the pavilion and sitting on the surrounding rocks, forming secondary occupied spaces.
DOMAIN BY CIRCULATION
Another type of domain in the pavilion is defined by its circulation. Visitors reaching this site are often in groups, and they tend to be hovering in front of the entrance before they get into the pavilion, in some cases they may just be walking around. Starting from the entrance to the main seating area, a transitional space is identified， as the circulation here is relatively faster than those who are standing or hovering behind the glass window enjoying the scenery.
PRIMARY THRESHOLDS
The primary thresholds of this pavilion are the main door and the glass panels. The main door between the exterior and the interior space creates a major shift in visitor’s spatial experience. And the glass window forms another threshold that provides people a physical barrier from the outside environment, while still offering the beautiful scenery for visitor groups to learn about this place.
SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
The spatial experience of the interior is primarily defined by the configuration of the timber core, including the different heights of the seating platform and their distances to the wooden ceiling, as demonstrated in the section cut. Therefore, with higher platforms, the space is getting more private and intimate. On the contrary， the spaces and sitting areas outside the thresholds are much more public.
THERMAL EXPERIENCE
Thermal experience is also identified here. The internal space is warmed by a suspended furnace, and the temperature of the interior is therefore defined by the distance to the point of furnace. Strengthening the intent of being a warm and protected shelter for people, in this cold Norwegian natural environment.
Some Drawings
SECTION
The main seating area of this pavilion is leveled as three platforms, defined by the height of ceiling, each of the platform has different spatial qualities in terms of eye view and privacy.
SOUTH-EAST ELEVATION
The main entrance to the pavilion is on the south-east side. The space along the exterior of large timber seating forms a semi-public space, acting as a extended threshold beyond the door, to invite people come inside or just have a rest on this outdoor seating space. While the environment is usually cold at this site, the timber structure is exposed to the air as it faces the sun during most of the day, creating thermal lag for the pavilion and its visitors.
NORTH-WEST ELEVATION
The north-west side of the pavilion is glazed for a large and almost seamless view. The U-shaped configuration of space promotes visitors to view in the same direction to the boundless landscape outside. The incorporated organic timber structure symbolises the material retrived from the nature, making the gathering space around the hearth more intimate and warm, encouraging people to reconsider the relationship between human and the natural environment as well as the wildlife.
MATERIALITY & CONSTRUCTION
Considerable emphasis is put on the quality and durability of materials so that the building can withstand the harsh climate. The shelter’s simple form and use of natural building materials reference local building traditions.
And at the same time, new technologies will be utilized to bring modern efficiency to the fabrication process. Using digital 3D-models to drive the milling machines, Norwegian shipbuilders in Hardangerfjord created the organic shape from 10 inch square pine timber beams. The wood was then assembled in a traditional way using only wood pegs as fasteners. The exterior wall has been treated with pine tar while the interior wood has been oiled.
The pavilion is a robust yet nuanced building that gives visitors an opportunity to reflect and contemplate this vast and rich landscape.
