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OLE THOMAS RØDLAND

Model photos

INTRODUCTION

I wanted to create a birdwatching tower that you make you experience the nature in a different way than what you normally do.Birdsfly,thatswhattheydo.withmybirdwatchingtowerI wanted people to experience the nature from the same point of view as the birds. By walking through the trees elevated and without the standard railing you would be a lot more on the alert, and get the feel of a different kind of space. Besides, the best ponit of view for watching birds is elevated among the trees.

SITE

Well, the site is still at the South East end of Igiltjønna, quiet, and shaded from both the sun and the everyday buzz. It is a really nice place to come if you need some time for your self, or justwanttoenjoythesilence.Theviewismagnificent!Youcansee the crisp refections in the lake, and the beautifull hills in the background, and if you are lucky you’ll get the ggreat view of birds landing in the lake, we did!

THE STRUCTURE

I started out with a straight line throught a hidden path in the forrest.Mytaskwasbasicallytofindsomewayofelevatingitoffthe groud. I landed on the canteliver truss as it gave me both the possibility of adding elements that I needed in the actuall structure, and becausewalking on something that cantelivers out will give you a better feeling of being on the edge, like a bird.

one line, two spaces

19Model photos

Elevation A-A scaled from 1:50 Elevation B-B scaled from 1:50

Visualisation

THE CONSTRUCTION

The tower consists of 7 canteliver trusses carrying the walking deck. You enter the tower by a stair between two trusses. You are then led further out towards the actual viewing platform. Take notice of the railing that starts out as a horizontal “hangard-ship-railing” and twists to a normal vertical railing in the end. The construction is made by glulam timber with slots for steel plates to better take the stress in the joints.

TWO SPACES

As the name of the project reveals, I have been working with two spaces. The space on the ground, surrounded by vegetation and the natural curves of the landscape. Here you can have sitontherocksaroundthecampfireandfeelasapartofthenature. By walking up the stairs and on to the platform you enter a different kind of space, you are in the birds domain. Lifted above the ground on a plain straight line you walk among the canopys without any obstacles such as bumps or vegitation. The way the railing is made makes you a little more aware of the height as you feel less protected from falling down. This emphasize the experience of the space among the capopys.

As you reach the platform, you have the panorama view of the lake and the birds. You can also have a seat in the sundeck folded down between the trusses. Here you can soak up the sun and totally relax. Enjoy!

AA

BB

Plan scaled from 1:50