Page 56 - Building Journal - November 2017

OVERSEAS

is formed in terrain, and represents a
different design than the more stringent
formed universal pathways and service
area with parking, restroom and picnic
facilities.
The building itself is located within
a larger open landscape and takes
advantage of wide views towards the
steep mountain walls, and the moving
valley. Creating strong references to
the site and its surroundings was an
important feature of the project. The
building appears as a small piece of
the mountain, carved out of the rock
and relocated to the other side of the
riverbank. The shape makes it a non-
house, being a sculpture of the solid
rock. Fortunen had a desire to create an
interior distinct from its external setting.
Contrasting the outside solid rock, the
internal walls are covered with deep,
warm coloured plywood. A sharp glazed
section of wall opens towards the river,
creating views over the moving water,
forest and mountains beyond which rises
towards the sky.
Local, natural stone is the main
material in the restroom building,
service area and nature trails. The

The Stairs: The terrain is steep and was almost impossible to walk in.
The new trail, made of natural stone and formed in the terrain, became a central
nerve of the project. It connects the different experiences of the waterfall and The inside of the building is covered with warm
places of interest, creating a meeting of nature and culture coloured plywood of pine

54 Building Journal