CASE STUDY | ESPENES REST STOP Glint of steel An award-winning low-energy lighting scheme tuned into the stunning natural backdrop of its Norwegian landscape for inspiration. Jill Entwistle speaks to the designers behind the Espenes scenic rest stop E spenes is a rest stop on a scenic route along Srfjorden, a 38km-long fjord on the road between Kinsarvik and Odda in northern Norway. Designed by Code Arkitektur as part of the Norwegian Scenic Routes initiative, the new structure for hikers and visitors sits in a powerful landscape with a stunning view of the fjord and mountains. Measuring 64m long and 4m wide, and with 12 roof modules of varying heights, the stainless steel structure houses toilets and seating. The elegant, simple geometry of the design is unashamedly contemporary, but created to complement, rather than compete with, its surroundings. The double-curved roof construction has a horizontal roof line, which is a reference to the fjord, and an undulating roof line, which is a reference to the mountainsides, says Code Arkitektur. When you rest under the vaults, you experience different sections of the landscape space, together with the changing reflections of the light in the steel. The lit effect at night follows similar principles. We set out to create a visible landmark after dark, in tune with the local landscape, explains Light Bureaus UK design director, Arve Olsen. Our lighting design is inspired by the location and the surrounding nature: the cool moonlight that illuminates the mountain tops and the nearby glacier, in contrast to the warm, human light. The roof and wall surfaces are shaped by hand and welded together from 6mm-thick steel plates. The steel walls are kept free of equipment and all technical installations are cast into the concrete deck. Cool and warm light is used to create a clear distinction between the indoor and outdoor spaces, the columns, in cool light, framing the view towards the toilet, in warm light. The cool light of the outer walls is designed to contrast with the warm interior, says Olsen. As lighting designers, we aimed to accentuate the sculptural shape through an interplay of light, darkness and contrast in the colour temperature. The lighting of the ceiling surface is asymmetrically designed to give two different visual impressions depending on the direction from which it is viewed, while The intensity of the light on the steel wall had to be experienced visually. Therefore, tests were crucial The roof and wall surfaces are made from 6mm-thick steel plates 38 December 2023 www.cibsejournal.com CIBSE Dec 23 pp38-39 Espenses rest stop Supp.indd 38 24/11/2023 13:04