A journey through
the icy waters of
the North Sea
Half-sunken into the icy waters of Lindesnes, Under invites you to dine five meters below the surface. The panoramic view of the seabed offers a visual gateway to the sea and connects the guests to the wildlife outside. This provides you with an opportunity to take in the otherwise rarely seen marine ecosystem of the North Atlantic Ocean.
In collaboration with Snøhetta and several experienced local partners, we have developed a restaurant with an equal focus on marine research, architecture and gastronomy.
By focusing on the coexistence of life on land and in the sea, Under proposes a new way of understanding our relationship to our surroundings – above the surface, under the water, and alongside the life of the sea.
With this as a backdrop you will gain a better understanding of the food you eat.
Under has been designed with sensitive consideration for its geographic context and aquatic neighbors. In time, the structure will become a part of its marine environment, as the roughness of the concrete shell will work as an artificial reef, welcoming limpets and kelp to inhabit it.
With the thick concrete walls lying against the craggy shoreline, the structure is built to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions. Like a sunken periscope, the restaurant’s massive acrylic windows offer a view of the seabed as it changes throughout the seasons and varying weather conditions.
Lindesnes is known for its intense weather conditions, which can change from calm to stormy several times a day. Upon arriving at the site, the visitor’s impressions of the unruly outdoors quickly dissolve as they are ushered through into the hushed, oak-clad foyer.
As a metaphor for the journey of descending from land to sea, textile-clad ceiling panels reference the colors of a sunset dropping into the ocean, accompanying one’s passage down the stairs.
The warm, welcoming atmosphere inside the restaurant instills a sense of awe and mystery, hinting at the journey that lies ahead.
Under is a story of contrasts; the contrast between the landscape and the sea; above and below. The restaurant underscores the delicate ecological balance between land and sea and draws our attention to sustainable models for responsible consumption.
In this way, Under provides a journey into the unknown. Each guest will be given a unique opportunity to experience a submerged universe, exploring marine life in ways they otherwise may never see.