Elva Hotel, or The River Hotel, is a cozy lodging in Voss, Norway. The area is renowned for its stunning scenery and attracts outdoor and extreme sports enthusiasts. The client’s main goal was to create unique accommodations closely connected to their existing activities center. The hotel offers an exclusive experience for active guests to immerse themselves in and explore the surrounding natural beauty.
© Sam Hughes
Elva Hotel’s Design Concept
The Elva Hotel consists of 14 rooms spread across five tiny tower houses. Each tower house has one to three hotel rooms. The main building also houses four wheelchair-accessible rooms, a reception area, a conference room, and a restaurant. The restaurant is connected to an existing structure with a bar, café, kitchen, and spa area. The restaurant serves locally sourced food. Considering future climate changes, the site was designed to overcome challenges, as it is located two to four meters below the anticipated flood zone levels. During construction, great care was taken to protect vulnerable wetland habitats along the water’s edge. © Sam Hughes
The buildings are built on stilts above the 200-year flood level, a strategic placement. The restaurant is the only structure located below the flood level, but it is designed to withstand flooding using water-resistant materials. All technical installations are placed at least 1.4 meters above the floor. The raised structures provide sheltered outdoor areas for guests a...