The Architectual Eye

The amazing work of Peter Zumthor; Allmannajuvet Zinc Mines in Sauda, Rogaland fylke. This place was the place I wanted to visit during my first long stay in Norway. Following Fylkevei 520 from Håra up over the mountains and down towards Sauda.  Allmannajuvet is one of the 10 largest attractions along the National Tourist Routes.  Peter Zumthor was commissioned in 2002 by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to design a tourist route attraction for the purpose of welcoming visitors and bringing the old mining history of Sauda back to life. All the buildings were prefabricated in Saudasjøen and then assembled in Allmannajuvet. The exterior support system consists of creosote impregnated laminated wood. The exterior walls of the building consist of 18 mm plywood sheets and jute burlap, coated with a German acrylic material (PMMA).  The National Tourist Routes attraction comprises 18 selected drives through beautiful Norwegian scenery, where the experience is enhanced by innovative architecture and thought-provoking art. The tourist routes are varied and travel through areas with unique qualities of nature, along coasts and fiords, mountains and waterfalls.

Some time ago I found a series of remarkable photos of big houses in the suburb of Paris. French photographer Laurent Kronental has taken these photos of what is called Grands Ensembles (Large Housing Projects). These housing projects are the result of an era of inflow of migrants, an aging population and the city trying to live up to the demand of modern living.