Rever & Drage Architects connect land and water
Rever & Drage Architects’ Sundshopen is a traditional stone and timber jetty that extends from the land across the shallow waters, enhancing the bay at the northern end of Sundshopen’s brackish lake. Such sloping decks have historically been part of the coastal landscape in Norway from the west to northwards, allowing for boat embarkation and disembarkation regardless of tides — an essential function in the absence of floating piers. This shallow, sheltered bay, a popular bathing spot for generations, had fallen into disuse and disrepair, with the recent upgrade revitalizing the area and turning it into an inviting destination for swimming, fishing, and picnics.
all images courtesy of Rever & Drage Architects
sundshopen punctuates the norwegian bay
Beyond its fundamental use, the Sundshopen jetty offers protection from wind and waves, a feature lacking in floating piers. Its strategic placement and orientation frames the beach area and serves as an indicator of the lake’s varying water levels throughout the seasons. Sundshopen sits amid a dense patch of woodland surrounded by open farmland. This natural quality is emphasized as the path to the beach deliberately cuts through this forest area, accentuating its existing charm.
The aluminum-clad toilet building, with its modern form, provides a contrast to the traditional pier and marks the entrance to the site. Rever & Drage Architects’ intentional juxtaposition creates a classical dramatic experience for visitors, guiding them from the northern parking area through the forest before opening up to the expansive plain by the water. On the path from the parking lot towards the water, the tip of the jetty is visible as a motif at the end of the perspective as you approach the beach.
Sundshopen extends from the land across the waters
aluminum-clad toilet marks the entrance to the site
enhances the bay at the northern end of Sundshopen’s brackish lake
the jetty offers protection from wind and waves
overlooking the brackish lake
