Pavilion Brekstad is a transformation of an old military bunker located at Fosen in Mid-Norway. Fosen is a beautiful peninsula with remarkable landscape meeting the Norwegian Sea in the west and the Trondheimsfjord in the east.

The pavilions program is dynamic and is designed to be used for private and social events, lectures and customer visits associated with the farm nearby. The plan is open and flexible so it by refurnishing easily can adjust to different occasions.

"To see and be seen" is one of the main ideas in the design of the pavilion according to the idea developed by the client. The pavilion's floating form and expression are an opposite to its previous function, where defense and attack behind thick walls are transformed and supplemented with sight lines and visual overviews.

With a 360-degree panoramic view of nature, wildlife, and the air base, this has been achieved. The bunker's heavy and massive character is preserved, and concrete walls and texture is visible. Above the massive base is the pavilion's hovering and transparent construction giving a clear distinction between the old and new, heavy and light.

To develop the final design several options on the visible shape above ground was tested. A simple rectangle was the final answer supplying a flexible, open space, framing all directions and fitting to the existing bunker as the project foundation. The entrance is through the old military function where the old plan is replaced by a kitchen, toilettes and storage. The stairs are put in as a central element, leading from the closed parts and up to the light. The stairs form an elegant shape and sculptural element clearly leading the way.

The primary materials in the new building are steel, glass and concrete, as well as elements of wood used to achieve a more tactile and warm atmosphere in the interior.

Team:
Architect: ASAS arkitektur   
Lead Architects: Ola Spangen, Grimur V. Magnusson, Dag Spangen, Katrine Aursand, Tove E. Andersen, Elisabeth Krogh
Photography: Kristoffer Wittrup