The Whale is a planned building in Norway that combines figure and form in the most spectacular way. Not scheduled to open until 2022 at the earliest, the Whale is already drawing plenty of positive attention.
© Dorte Mandrup, The Whale and Mir.
An ambitious architectural project located 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle on the island on Andoya in Andenes, the Whale will serve as a museum and observation deck as well as a visitor attraction. Its name, the media buzz and the growing public interest come from its unique design.
© Dorte Mandrup, The Whale and Mir.
Danish architecture firm Dorte Mandrup had the task of designing the building to blend with the scenery and maintain the beauty and integrity of the surrounding area. “It rises naturally as a soft hill on the rocky shore, as if a giant had lifted a thin layer of the crust of the earth and created a cavity underneath,” as stated in the firm’s press release. Dorte Mandrup is known for working within sensitive landscapes. The Whale, partially submerged, won’t just fit in with the landscape — it will enhance it.
© Dorte Mandrup, The Whale and Mir.
The building will have exhibition spaces, offices, a café and store. A tide pool, a campfire, and paths featuring platforms and viewpoints surround the building. The roof — a single, curved concrete shell covered in natural stones — will offer a completely unobstructed viewpoint.
© Dorte Mandrup, The Whale and Mir.
A prime area for whale watching, the coastal village’s deep-sea canyon attracts several whale species. Pilot, minke and sperm whales appear June through August. Orcas and humpbacks can be spotted during colder months. With waters that never freeze and mild winters, the area remains busy with tourists all year.
© Dorte Mandrup, The Whale and Mir.
While the accompanying pictures are renderings, they provide a fantastic preview of what will become a stunning combination of form and landscape. Within a couple years, the Whale will be a great spot to watch underwater life. Until then, I’ll be watching the Whale as it progresses.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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