Hålogaland Bridge—A Landmark in Arctic Norway
Assad Jamal, Erik Sundet
Abstract
Hålogaland Bridge in Arctic Norway has been recognized for its elegance and respectful integration within a majestic landscape. The location north of the Arctic Circle means that the bridge must sustain extreme environmental loading, and this has called for a number of innovative design solutions. Using the setting and functional requirements in a creative manner as a basis for the design process, the team of bridge engineers and architects worked actively within these constraints as a unique opportunity to obtain a distinctive and immediately recognizable design, making a difference for local society and raising the profile of a remote area. The combination of a narrow bridge deck and high pylons provided the possibility of designing structurally efficient and elegantly pointed pylons that complement the pointed peaks of the surrounding landscape and especially the neighboring peak, the “Sleeping Queen” which is an important part of local history and storytelling. This paper describes the work methods, process and design criteria adopted by the design team and how aesthetic considerations and functional requirements went hand-in-hand to produce one of the most stunning bridges in the world.