Uniquely designed whale watching museum in Norway

Uniquely designed whale watching museum in Norway
From the direction of the sea, the museum will resemble the flukes of a whale diving into the ocean. Image credit: MIR

Scandinavian architecture emphasizes harmony with nature, and the ocean-inspired museum set to be built in Norway is no exception.

Designed by Copenhagen-based architectural studio Dorte Mandrup, “The Whale” is expected to open in 2022. The curved structure will resemble a whale’s tail fin in the form of a massive rock rising from the shores of Andøya, an island in northern Norway renowned as one of the world’s best locations for spotting migrating whales.

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Uniquely designed whale watching museum in Norway 2

Dubbed “The Whale,” this cutting-edge design will serve as a coastal observation point and an educational museum for visitors interested in learning about the region’s rich marine life.

Located approximately 184 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the island’s cold, deep waters attract an abundance of squid, which in turn draw large numbers of whales to the surrounding seas.

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The Whale’s stone-covered rooftop, and also its whale-spotting platform, will consist of a single, parabolic concrete “shell”, the curved shape of which will minimize the building’s overall material use as part of an effort to maintain a sustainable design for the structure. Visitors will be able to walk directly onto the rooftop from the ground areas on either side of the sloped platform. Image credit: MIR

Pilot whales, minke whales, and sperm whales can be spotted near Andenes from June to August, while in winter, orcas and humpback whales migrate through the Vesterålen fjords and the Lofoten archipelago, situated just to the south.

This coastal village welcomes around 50,000 visitors annually for world-class whale-watching experiences.

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The Whale’s exhibitions will center around stories about encounters between humans and whales.Courtesy of MIR
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The museum’s exhibition spaces will be lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that look over the Norwegian Sea.Courtesy of MIR

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While The Whale boasts an impressive exterior, it will seamlessly complement the country’s growing collection of remarkable architectural landmarks. We certainly can’t wait for its grand opening in 2022!

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The Whale’s exhibition spaces will be lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that look over the Norwegian Sea. Image credit: MIR

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