Thursday 22 July marks the fourth year anniversary of one of the most tragic events in contemporary Norwegian history, which took place on the beautiful Utøya island. Following the massacre that shook Norwegians and the international community alike, Bergen practice 3RW won the competition to design a memorial to honor the memory of the deceased, while celebrating the island's beautiful nature.
Located by the Tyrifjorden lake, 40 km from Oslo, the memorial was built following 'dugnad' - a tradition that called for a community to work together, and in this case, for the close collaboration between the architects, the victims' relatives, survivors of the incident, and veterans of the Workers' Youth League (who own the island). This process was part of the architects' design to deal with the painful incident - in their view, it was as important as the final built product.
Strategically located on the hill to the North of Utøya's reception buildings, the memorial is designed as a circle that is carved into the sloping landscape amongst dense pine trees and overlooking the lake.
The 114 sq m area is carefully landscaped with a stone path, meandering through poppies, echinaceas, calliopsis and several other plants - all of which were carefully chosen to attract different species of butterflies. Four pine trees bear the weight of 60 victims' names, cut out on a steel ring seemingly floating above the butterflies' feeding ground. Defined by the light that shines through it, the shadows of the names are projected onto the ground and foliage surrounding the ring.
Skirting the site's periphery is a slate-clad bench, carved out from the ground. This circle was designed to focus onto the island's different qualities: from dense forest, to a clear view over the island of Sørbråten - where another national memorial is planned - and the sound of water.
The memorial's strong presence helps remember the tragic incident that took place elsewhere on the island, and at the same time celebrates what makes Utøya unique - its nature.
Located by the Tyrifjorden lake, some 40 km from Oslo, the installation features a floating steel ring that bears the names of the 69 victims
The memorial design was the result of a collaboration between the architects, the victims' relatives, survivors of the incident, and veterans of the Workers' Youth League, who own the island
The memorial's 114 sqm area is carefully landscaped with a planted stone path and seating circling the hanging structure
-
Year in review: top 10 design stories of 2024Wallpaper* magazine's 10 most-read design stories of 2024 whisk us from fun Ikea pieces to the man who designed the Paris Olympics, and 50 years of the Rubik's Cube
-
Sharon Smith's Polaroids capture 1980s New York nightlifeIDEA Books has launched a new monograph of Smith’s photographs, titled Camera Girl and edited by former editor-in-chief of LIFE magazine, Bill Shapiro
-
A multifaceted Beverly Hills house puts the beauty of potentiality in the frameA Beverly Hills house in Trousdale, designed by Robin Donaldson, brings big ideas to the residential scale
-
Tour this waterfront Norwegian summer house in pristine natureCabin Lillesand by architect, Lund Hagem respects and enhances its natural setting in the country's south
-
Kunstsilo sees a functionalist grain silo transformed into Norway’s newest art galleryKunstsilo’s crisp modern design by Mestres Wåge with Spanish firms Mendoza Partida and BAX Studio transforms a listed functionalist grain silo into a sleek art gallery
-
Aarestua Cabin brings old Norwegian traditions into the 21st centuryAarestua Cabin by Gartnerfuglen is a modern retreat with links to historical Norwegian traditions, and respect for its environment
-
Pioneering tablet maker reMarkable’s Oslo headquarters is a space for ‘better thinking’reMarkable’s Oslo head office, featuring areas to retreat, ruminate and collaborate, is a true workspace of the future
-
This Norway cabin was designed as a minimalist, coastal escapeThis Norway cabin by Erling Berg is made of local timber that frames its scenic Risør views through large openings and outdoor areas, creating a cool summer escape
-
This Oslo house is a suburban cabin in the woodsAn Oslo house designed like a retreat, Villa Nikkesmelle by Gartnerfuglen, offers the perfect balance between urban and rural
-
Restored former US embassy in Oslo brings Eero Saarinen’s vision into the 21st centuryThe former US embassy in Oslo by Finnish American modernist Eero Saarinen has been restored to its 20th-century glory and transformed for contemporary mixed use
-
Tommie Wilhelmsen’s cabin on Norway’s wild coast frames the experience of the landscapeTommie Wilhelmsen has completed a new cabin close to the city of Stavanger, a retreat in the heart of a historic coastal landscape
