Røldal visitor centre

The Pilgrim Center in Røldal is designed as a compact, circular structure that minimizes its footprint in the landscape and serves as a strong symbol of togetherness. The building’s volume expresses a clear affiliation with the existing structures, the movements of the church wall through the landscape, and the Røldal Stave Church’s refined use of wood in its architecture.

HUMBLE, YET DISTINCTIVE

The building’s round shape has historically symbolized the gathering and spiritual exchange of pilgrims. Seen up close, the circular form reduces the scale of the building’s facades and visual impact in relation to the church. In this way, the building appears humble in relation to the church, but at the same time, it asserts its own character as a structure.

The design of the Pilgrim Center has a horizontal orientation, in contrast to the church’s upward-reaching vertical orientation. As a result, the Pilgrim Center aligns with the horizontal/earthly axis, while the church is oriented along the vertical/sacred axis. Thus, the center defers to the church, and the church’s monumentality and presence in the landscape remain undisturbed.

MODERN INTERPRETATION

The Pilgrim Center is located along the church’s east-west axis and features an inner circular courtyard, which serves as the focal point of the center’s spatial organization and as a modern interpretation of the classical monastery courtyard. The inner courtyard is a calm, introverted space that invites contemplation – a space that connects only with heaven, earth, and weather. The weather can always be seen from within the courtyard.

Culture

Transformation

Public

Private

Planning