Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The world's largest underwater restaurant in Norway , where diners can watch marine life swim by through a 36-foot window.

under norway
The 110-foot-long structure is partially submerged in the sea.
 Ivar Kvaal
  • The world's largest underwater restaurant in Norway was just included on Time Magazine's "World's Greatest Places 2019" list.
  • Fittingly called "Under," the restaurant — the first of its kind in Europe — has three-foot-thick walls and is designed to withstand harsh weather and rough seas.
  • The 110-foot-long structure resembles a giant concrete tube that's half-submerged in the water.
  • The restaurant, which opened in March 2019, seats 35 to 40 guests each night, who can watch sea life go by through a 36 x 13-foot panoramic window as they eat.

The world's largest underwater restaurant in Norway just earned a spot on Time Magazine's World's Greatest Places 2019 list.
"Under," which opened in March, is Europe's first underwater eatery. Designed by Snøhetta, the restaurant sits half-submerged into the sea and has three-foot thick walls designed to withstand the area's rugged seas.
Guests at Under can gaze at marine life through a 36- x 13-foot panoramic window in the dining room, which seats between 35 and 40 guests each night. Muted lighting was installed on the seabed so that guests can see the marine life in any weather conditions.
The cuisine is, of course, seafoodDanish chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard Pedersen will create locally sourced dishes that include cod, lobster, mussels, and truffle kelp, which is a local type of seaweed that apparently tastes like truffles.
Here's a look inside Under, the world's largest underwater restaurant.

The world's largest — and Europe's first — underwater restaurant is open in Norway, aptly called "Under." It was named one of Time Magazine's Greatest Places of 2019.

The world's largest — and Europe's first — underwater restaurant is open in Norway, aptly called Ivar Kvaal
According to Arne Marthinsen, the project manager for SubMar Group, which is responsible for the project's marine operations, Under is unique among other underwater structures.
"What makes it so complicated and unique, is the fact that it isn't going to be a simple, concrete storage tank, but rather an amazing, unique experience for people due to the location, the architecture, the interior, the underwater view and of course the delicious cuisine," Marthinsen said in a news release.

The restaurant is located at the southernmost tip of Norway, in the coastal village of Båly, in the Lindesnes region.

The restaurant is located at the southernmost tip of Norway, in the coastal village of Båly, in the Lindesnes region.Google Maps
Source: Google Maps

The 110-foot long structure resembles a concrete tube that sits half-in and half-out of the sea. It rests on the seabed about 16.5 feet below the surface.

The 110-foot long structure resembles a concrete tube that sits half-in and half-out of the sea. It rests on the seabed about 16.5 feet below the surface.André Martinsen
Source: Under

"In this building, you may find yourself under water, over the seabed, between land and sea," architect Kjetil Trædal Thorsen said in a press release. "This will offer you new perspectives and ways of seeing the world, both beyond and beneath the waterline."

Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge

Under has three levels that together span 5,300 square feet. First is the entrance and wardrobe area.

Under has three levels that together span 5,300 square feet. First is the entrance and wardrobe area.Ivar Kvaal
Source: UnderCNN

From there, guests descend to a Champagne bar, which serves as the transition between the shore and the sea.

From there, guests descend to a Champagne bar, which serves as the transition between the shore and the sea.Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge
Source: UnderCNN

The lowest level is the dining room.

The lowest level is the dining room.Inger Marie Grini/Bo Bedre Norge
Source: Under

Guests will be able to watch sea life go by through the 36 x 13-foot panoramic acrylic window while they eat.

Guests will be able to watch sea life go by through the 36 x 13-foot panoramic acrylic window while they eat.Ivar Kvaal
Source: Under

Muted lights installed in the seabed illuminate the water ...

Muted lights installed in the seabed illuminate the water ...Ivar Kvaal
Source: Under

... and 380 LED lamps are installed on the ceiling panels to subtly illuminate the dining room.

... and 380 LED lamps are installed on the ceiling panels to subtly illuminate the dining room.Ivar Kvaal

The restaurant recommends that guests allot three-and-a-half to four hours "to fully escape into our Immersion menu," according to its website.

The restaurant recommends that guests allot three-and-a-half to four hours Ivar Kvaal
Source: Under

Under serves locally-sourced seafood dishes include cod, lobster, mussels, and truffle kelp, which is a local type of seaweed that apparently tastes like truffles. According to Forbes, a meal at Under can cost upwards of $400.

Under serves locally-sourced seafood dishes include cod, lobster, mussels, and truffle kelp, which is a local type of seaweed that apparently tastes like truffles. According to Forbes, a meal at Under can cost upwards of $400.Stian Broch
Source: Under, Forbes

Under was built aboveground on a barge over a period of about six months. The structure was designed to be able to weather harsh conditions.

Under was built aboveground on a barge over a period of about six months. The structure was designed to be able to weather harsh conditions.MIR and Snøhetta
Source: Under

"The first problem is water pressure, as we're [16 feet] below the surface, but the biggest challenge is the waves," Rune Grasdal, a senior architect at Snøhetta, told CNN.

MIR and Snøhetta
"Wind and waves are extreme here," Grasdal said. "To withstand all these forces, the building is slightly curved, so it can better take to the waves, and it's thick: [1.6 feet] for the concrete and about [1 foot] for the acrylic windows."
Source: CNN

After construction was completed on the barge, the structure was towed into position about 600 feet away, lowered into the sea, and attached to a foundation on the ocean floor in July 2018.

After construction was completed on the barge, the structure was towed into position about 600 feet away, lowered into the sea, and attached to a foundation on the ocean floor in July 2018.
The restaurant under construction on the barge.
 MIR and Snøhetta
Source: Under

The restaurant was purposefully placed in an area known to have harsh weather. Under's three-foot-thick walls were designed to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions.

The restaurant was purposefully placed in an area known to have harsh weather. Under's three-foot-thick walls were designed to withstand pressure and shock from the rugged sea conditions.
Stormy seas in Lindesnes, Norway.
 Shutterstock/sergioboccardo
Source: Under

"The most exciting experience will be visiting the restaurant during rough weather," Grasdal told Forbes. "It will be fantastic to see the sea surface broken up by the big waves and the rain, making for a very dramatic view."

Ivar Kvaal
Source: Forbes

Under will also function as a marine research center, studying marine biology and fish behavior through cameras and other tools installed on the restaurant's facade.

Under will also function as a marine research center, studying marine biology and fish behavior through cameras and other tools installed on the restaurant's facade.Ivar Kvaal

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