Designed to withstand the pressures of the ocean environment and protected by concrete, Under operates as a semi-underwater restaurant in southern Norway. It is a 34-meter concrete monolith, that provides a unique dining experience with panoramic underwater views. Under is located along the rocky shores of Lindesnes, a city known for its harsh weather and its many fjords in icy waters and designed by Oslo-based Snøhetta Architects.

The Under has been designed with care for its geographical context and its aquatic neighbors. Over time, the construction will become part of its marine environment. The structure was designed to withstand pressure and vibration from harsh sea conditions. Like a sunken periscope, the restaurant’s huge acrylic windows offer views of the seabed. Lindesnes is known for its changing weather conditions that change from calm to stormy many times a day. Arriving at the site, the visitor’s impressions of the erratic outdoor space dissipate quickly, as he enters the closed foyer lined with oak. The warm, welcoming atmosphere inside the restaurant diffuses a sense of awe and mystery, implying the journey that follows.

Lindesnes is known for its changing weather conditions that change from calm to stormy many times a day. Arriving at the site, the visitor’s impressions of the erratic outdoor space dissipate quickly, as he enters the closed foyer lined with oak. The warm, welcoming atmosphere inside the restaurant diffuses a sense of awe and mystery, implying the journey that follows.

Under is a story of contrasts. The contrast between the landscape of land and sea. Up and down. The restaurant emphasizes the delicate ecological balance between land and sea and draws our attention to sustainable models.

Photos courtesy of Under.No