Pavilion Brekstad is a bunker from the Second World War located between the Trondheim fjord in the east and the Norwegian Sea in the west that has undergone a complete transformation. It overlooks the open landscape of the Fosen Peninsula.

The new glass extension to an old bunker has been designed by architects from ASAS Arkitektur studio. The pavilion is intended for private and social events, lectures and customer visits related to the farmer's business and the associated farm. The floor plan is open and flexible to adapt to different types of gatherings easily. The design has been commissioned by a private owner.

The Pavilion Brekstad offers 360-degree panoramic views of the landscape, wildlife and airbase. The heavy and massive character of the bunker has been preserved with clear concrete walls and texture.

The superstructure is made of steel, glass and concrete. Some steel was covered with wood to achieve a warmer atmosphere. Above the solid base, the pavilion's floating structure is two horizontal discs, with the floor and ceiling appearing as two black lines in the sky.

The glass in the pavilion is crucial to the expression and experience of the building. Unlike the heavy bunker that forms the base, the new glass part is supposed to be as low in expression as possible.

Architects specified double glazed insulated glass units Pilkington Insulight Activ™ made of laminated glass. An outer pane of the unit Pilkington Activ Suncool Optilam™ 50/25 T is made of laminated toughened self-cleaning glass and toughened high performance solar control glass with low-e properties. The inner pane comprises Pilkington Optilam™ Clear T 12, 8 toughened laminated clear float glass. Insulated Glass Units specified for glass façades offer solar control and thermal insulation and thanks to self-cleaning coating require less cleaning. In addition, the glass protects against wind and waves as Brekstad sometimes has rapidly changing weather conditions. Inside the pavilion, people are protected from rain and wind without compromising the spectacular view.

Depending on the season, the weather, and the time of day, the glass acts as something to look out of, and through and as a reflector of the sky, the surrounding landscape and the fells. In this way, the glass volume fits into the context in many ways.

The transition from the top of the bunker to the pavilion plays an important role with a transparent and recessed plinth. The front edge and cornice of the glass envelope are carefully detailed to give the pavilion as simple and unobtrusive an expression as possible. Profiles and joints have been kept to a minimum, resulting in a continuous façade on all four sides of the building.

The contrast between concrete and terracotta against the glass volume provides a clear distinction between new and old. Views in all directions make the interior unique. The building is elevated in a flat landscape and allows you to see far away. The glass plays an important role in the extension.

Photography: Kristoffer Wittrup