Europe’s first underwater restaurant to open in Norway

Jacopo Prisco, CNN and Ana Rosado, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 10:19 AM EDT, Thu March 15, 2018
Europe will soon get its first underwater restaurant: a concrete structure on the Norwegian coastline designed by the architecture firm, Snohetta.
"Under," Europe's first underwater restaurant —
Europe will soon get its first underwater restaurant: a concrete structure on the Norwegian coastline designed by the architecture firm, Snohetta.
MIR and Snøhetta
Built to resemble a periscope, the half-sunken structure has concrete walls and big acrylic windows that offer a view to the underwater nature.
"Under," Europe's first underwater restaurant —
Built to resemble a periscope, the half-sunken structure has concrete walls and big acrylic windows that offer a view to the underwater nature.
MIR and Snøhetta
Building is planned to start in February 2018 and the official opening is happening in early 2019.
"Under," Europe's first underwater restaurant —
Building is planned to start in February 2018 and the official opening is happening in early 2019.
MIR and Snøhetta
"It should be an exciting experience, but people should also feel secure and well sitting down there," says Rune Grasdal, lead architect of the project.
"Under," Europe's first underwater restaurant —
"It should be an exciting experience, but people should also feel secure and well sitting down there," says Rune Grasdal, lead architect of the project.
MIR and Snøhetta
The building accommodates up to 100 people and the restaurant will serve local food.
"Under," Europe's first underwater restaurant —
The building accommodates up to 100 people and the restaurant will serve local food.
MIR and Snøhetta
Other examples of underwater construction include, the Floating Seahorse villas that take the houseboat concept to the next level: each three-story retreat features an entire floor submerged beneath the sea. Brought to life by Kleindienst real estate and property developers, the villas are part of the Heart of Europe resort opening off the coast of Dubai.
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai —
Other examples of underwater construction include, the Floating Seahorse villas that take the houseboat concept to the next level: each three-story retreat features an entire floor submerged beneath the sea. Brought to life by Kleindienst real estate and property developers, the villas are part of the Heart of Europe resort opening off the coast of Dubai.
Kleindienst/Floating Seahorse
On the outside hull, the architects used three main components: Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), steel, and acrylic. Connecting the acrylic to the hull was another challenge, as it required a highly flexible, long-lasting sealant that only about three companies in the world make -- of those, only one supplier was able to match the project's technical requirements. 
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai —
On the outside hull, the architects used three main components: Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), steel, and acrylic. Connecting the acrylic to the hull was another challenge, as it required a highly flexible, long-lasting sealant that only about three companies in the world make -- of those, only one supplier was able to match the project's technical requirements. 
Kleindienst
Stretching across three levels, Floating Seahorse villas include two underwater bedrooms, an outdoor sun deck, and a rooftop with a glass-bottom Jacuzzi. Around 50 floating abodes will be ready to welcome guests at the end of this year, with a total of 131 villas expected by the end of 2017. 
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai —
Stretching across three levels, Floating Seahorse villas include two underwater bedrooms, an outdoor sun deck, and a rooftop with a glass-bottom Jacuzzi. Around 50 floating abodes will be ready to welcome guests at the end of this year, with a total of 131 villas expected by the end of 2017. 
Kleindienst/Sharbeen Sarash
At just 9.5 centimeters thick, the floor-to-ceiling underwater windows make it seems like there's nothing between you and the fish. However they're not made of glass, as that would cause distortion and could not withstand the water pressure. Instead, the team looked to aquariums and submarines and used acrylic for its durability and crystal-clear views. <br />
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai —
At just 9.5 centimeters thick, the floor-to-ceiling underwater windows make it seems like there's nothing between you and the fish. However they're not made of glass, as that would cause distortion and could not withstand the water pressure. Instead, the team looked to aquariums and submarines and used acrylic for its durability and crystal-clear views. 
Sharbeen Sarash
Inspired by the mysteries of the deep, Kleindienst studied underwater projects for decades until he finally had the chance to bring his vision to life in 2008, as part of the "The World" project off the coast of Dubai.
The Floating Seahorse, Dubai —
Inspired by the mysteries of the deep, Kleindienst studied underwater projects for decades until he finally had the chance to bring his vision to life in 2008, as part of the "The World" project off the coast of Dubai.
Kleindienst
Another example is the Floating House, designed by Singapore-based architect Dymitr Malcew, which aims to make the nomad life as leisurely and luxurious as possible. Each home is fully sustainable, built with its own water purification system and solar panels for electricity.
The Floating House —
Another example is the Floating House, designed by Singapore-based architect Dymitr Malcew, which aims to make the nomad life as leisurely and luxurious as possible. Each home is fully sustainable, built with its own water purification system and solar panels for electricity.
Dymitr Malcew
When building The Floating House, one of architect Dymitr Malcew's main goals was to complement the surroundings. Taking inspiration from nature, the design accentuates the landscape, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass curtain walls and an abundance of wood. Each room has easy-access to a wrap-around terrace, and enormous windows let in lots of natural light.<br />
The Floating House —
When building The Floating House, one of architect Dymitr Malcew's main goals was to complement the surroundings. Taking inspiration from nature, the design accentuates the landscape, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass curtain walls and an abundance of wood. Each room has easy-access to a wrap-around terrace, and enormous windows let in lots of natural light.
Dymitr Malcew
To enable The Floating House to rise and fall with the tides, architect Dymitr Malcew constructed the home on floating steel pontoons. An engine can be installed upon request, enabling owners to travel the world from the comfort of their own home.
The Floating House —
To enable The Floating House to rise and fall with the tides, architect Dymitr Malcew constructed the home on floating steel pontoons. An engine can be installed upon request, enabling owners to travel the world from the comfort of their own home.
Dymitr Malcew
Another ambitious project comes from Dutch developers ONW/BNG GO. The Citadel is Europe's first floating apartment building. It's part of the New Water development project, which will comprise six floating apartment buildings -- all designed to adapt to flooding and rising water levels.
Citadel, Westland —
Another ambitious project comes from Dutch developers ONW/BNG GO. The Citadel is Europe's first floating apartment building. It's part of the New Water development project, which will comprise six floating apartment buildings -- all designed to adapt to flooding and rising water levels.
Architect Koen Olthuis - Waterstudio.NL/developer: ONW/BNG GO
The Citadel floating apartment building is home to 180 modules, which rest on top of a floating concrete foundation. A floating road connects the complex to the shore, so residents can park their cars on site. Dutch developers ONW/BNG GO designed the complex to be highly efficient, consuming 25 percent less energy than a conventional building of the same size.
Citadel, Westland —
The Citadel floating apartment building is home to 180 modules, which rest on top of a floating concrete foundation. A floating road connects the complex to the shore, so residents can park their cars on site. Dutch developers ONW/BNG GO designed the complex to be highly efficient, consuming 25 percent less energy than a conventional building of the same size.
Architect Koen Olthuis - Waterstudio.NL/developer: ONW/BNG GO
Made with a mix of western red cedar, Douglas Fir and copper, the Randall T. Fennell Residence sits gracefully on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Curving rooftops mimic the ripples in the water below and create an eye-catching silhouette.<br />
Randall T. Fennell Residence, Portland —
Made with a mix of western red cedar, Douglas Fir and copper, the Randall T. Fennell Residence sits gracefully on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. Curving rooftops mimic the ripples in the water below and create an eye-catching silhouette.
Robert Harvey Oshatz, architect / Cameron Neilson, photographer
The residence's exposed beams add an industrial feel, while curved ceilings and rich wood warm up the vibe. A deck wraps around the home, leading visitors to the open-air patio in the front of the home where they can take in dramatic sunset views.<br />
Randall T. Fennell Residence, Portland —
The residence's exposed beams add an industrial feel, while curved ceilings and rich wood warm up the vibe. A deck wraps around the home, leading visitors to the open-air patio in the front of the home where they can take in dramatic sunset views.
Cameron R Neilson
Surprisingly spacious inside, the 2,153-square-foot (200sqm) houseboat includes a loft-style master bedroom and an open living space. Drawn up like a sail, a clean white wall draws focus to the piece de resistance: a floor-to-ceiling glass window that looks onto the river.
Randall T. Fennell Residence, Portland —
Surprisingly spacious inside, the 2,153-square-foot (200sqm) houseboat includes a loft-style master bedroom and an open living space. Drawn up like a sail, a clean white wall draws focus to the piece de resistance: a floor-to-ceiling glass window that looks onto the river.
Robert Harvey Oshatz, architect / Cameron Neilson, photographer
This floating abode is all about sustainable, mobile living -- anywhere in the world. From the designers of Friday SA, a Portuguese design and engineering firm, Floatwing was built to travel and its modular design can be broken down and transported in two or three shipping containers. You can anchor where you wish, or motor around at a speed of up to 3 knots.
Floatwing —
This floating abode is all about sustainable, mobile living -- anywhere in the world. From the designers of Friday SA, a Portuguese design and engineering firm, Floatwing was built to travel and its modular design can be broken down and transported in two or three shipping containers. You can anchor where you wish, or motor around at a speed of up to 3 knots.
Jose Campos Photography
As stylish as it is sustainable, Floatwing homes come with a wine cellar, barbecue area and a rooftop terrace. As for sustainability, the designers chose eco-friendly materials such as cork and wood. It's energy efficient too, thanks to double-glazed panels for insulations and solar panels that cover up to 80 percent of energy consumption throughout the year.
Floatwing —
As stylish as it is sustainable, Floatwing homes come with a wine cellar, barbecue area and a rooftop terrace. As for sustainability, the designers chose eco-friendly materials such as cork and wood. It's energy efficient too, thanks to double-glazed panels for insulations and solar panels that cover up to 80 percent of energy consumption throughout the year.
Jose Campos Photography
Tucked away in the Great Lakes, MOS Architects' one-bedroom Floating House rests atop steel pontoons, allowing it to rise and fall with water levels. Built off site, the house traveled about 50 miles before reaching its home on the remote island in Lake Huron.
Floating House Lake Huron, Ontario —
Tucked away in the Great Lakes, MOS Architects' one-bedroom Floating House rests atop steel pontoons, allowing it to rise and fall with water levels. Built off site, the house traveled about 50 miles before reaching its home on the remote island in Lake Huron.
MOS Architects / photographer Florian Holzherr
Inspired by the surroundings, MOS Architects designed Floating House Lake Huron with clean lines and a natural palette. Inside, bright white walls and enormous windows open up the ground floor's 1,000-square-foot space (92 square meters), while cedar rain screens on the facade offer both form and function.
Floating House Lake Huron, Ontario —
Inspired by the surroundings, MOS Architects designed Floating House Lake Huron with clean lines and a natural palette. Inside, bright white walls and enormous windows open up the ground floor's 1,000-square-foot space (92 square meters), while cedar rain screens on the facade offer both form and function.
MOS Architects / photographer Florian Holzherr
A project by Designs Northwest Architects, Lake Union Float Home is part of Seattle's unique houseboat community. Inspired by the century-old marina warehouses on the docks, the architects created a modern home with historical touches, evident in the industrial form, steel beams, polished concrete and caged spiral staircase.
Lake Union Float Home, Seattle —
A project by Designs Northwest Architects, Lake Union Float Home is part of Seattle's unique houseboat community. Inspired by the century-old marina warehouses on the docks, the architects created a modern home with historical touches, evident in the industrial form, steel beams, polished concrete and caged spiral staircase.
Designs Northwest Architects / photographer Ben Benschneider
Don't worry: these are not a figment of your imagination. Made of two fiberglass shells, the UFO (which in this case, stands for unidentified floating object) is essentially what it looks like -- a spherical boat, able to reach a top speed of 3-5 knots.
UFO —
Don't worry: these are not a figment of your imagination. Made of two fiberglass shells, the UFO (which in this case, stands for unidentified floating object) is essentially what it looks like -- a spherical boat, able to reach a top speed of 3-5 knots.
Jet Capsule
The shells are made of fiberglass and secured with a hermetic seal, which keep it afloat and stable. The Italian company behind the concept, Jet Capsule, says the sphere is unsinkable, utilizing a special elastic anchor system to maintain stability in rough seas.
UFO —
The shells are made of fiberglass and secured with a hermetic seal, which keep it afloat and stable. The Italian company behind the concept, Jet Capsule, says the sphere is unsinkable, utilizing a special elastic anchor system to maintain stability in rough seas.
Jet Capsule
The UFO is completely self-sustaining, incorporating innovative features like a water generator that turns salt water and rain into potable water. The mobile home also has solar panels and optional water turbines to power the battery. 
UFO —
The UFO is completely self-sustaining, incorporating innovative features like a water generator that turns salt water and rain into potable water. The mobile home also has solar panels and optional water turbines to power the battery. 
Jet Capsule
Stretching across 2,152 square feet, Watervilla Weesperzijde sits on Amsterdam's Amstel River. Designed by +31ARCHITECTS, it's all about the river views: luxurious floating abode boasts a glass façade and a terrace that runs the entire length of the villa. Tech-savvy touches, such as automatic sun shades and strategically placed LED lights add a modern touch.
Watervilla Weesperzijde, Amsterdam —
Stretching across 2,152 square feet, Watervilla Weesperzijde sits on Amsterdam's Amstel River. Designed by +31ARCHITECTS, it's all about the river views: luxurious floating abode boasts a glass façade and a terrace that runs the entire length of the villa. Tech-savvy touches, such as automatic sun shades and strategically placed LED lights add a modern touch.
ewout huibers
House boats are nothing new in the Netherlands, where much of the land lies beneath sea level and is susceptible to flooding. Designed and constructed by +31ARCHITECTS, the 2,120-square-foot Watervilla de Omval floats on the Amstel River. It's a contemporary take on the traditional houseboat, featuring a curvaceous exterior, glass-front façade and a rooftop terrace to make the most of the surrounds.
Watervilla de Omval, Amsterdam —
House boats are nothing new in the Netherlands, where much of the land lies beneath sea level and is susceptible to flooding. Designed and constructed by +31ARCHITECTS, the 2,120-square-foot Watervilla de Omval floats on the Amstel River. It's a contemporary take on the traditional houseboat, featuring a curvaceous exterior, glass-front façade and a rooftop terrace to make the most of the surrounds.
+31ARCHITECTS
You won't find any portholes aboard The ParkArk Oog-in-Al, but the contemporary houseboat still floods with natural light from enormous windows and skylights. Another custom project from BYTR architects, the copper-clad boat is moored on a leafy green canal in Utrecht right next to a footbridge. Due to its public location, the designers strategically planned the home's doors and windows to enable park and river views while maintaining a sense of privacy.
ParkArk Oog-in-Al, Utrecht —
You won't find any portholes aboard The ParkArk Oog-in-Al, but the contemporary houseboat still floods with natural light from enormous windows and skylights. Another custom project from BYTR architects, the copper-clad boat is moored on a leafy green canal in Utrecht right next to a footbridge. Due to its public location, the designers strategically planned the home's doors and windows to enable park and river views while maintaining a sense of privacy.
BYTR/Stijnstijl photographer
Designed and built by BYTR architects, Muntboot sits on a quiet canal in Utrecht, a city in the Netherlands that's known for its medieval waterways. The split-level houseboat could easily double as a piece of artwork, thanks to wooden slants of various widths that give the façade texture and depth.
Muntboot Utrecht, Utrecht —
Designed and built by BYTR architects, Muntboot sits on a quiet canal in Utrecht, a city in the Netherlands that's known for its medieval waterways. The split-level houseboat could easily double as a piece of artwork, thanks to wooden slants of various widths that give the façade texture and depth.
BYTR/Liesbeth Sluiter photographer
Breathtaking architecture found on and under water
CNN  — 

Europe’s first underwater restaurant is set to open in early 2019 in Lindesnes, in the south of Norway. The planned concrete structure features a 36-foot wide panoramic window and is designed to become part of the marine environment, with a menu that will focus on seafood.

These next-level underwater villas are making waves

The restaurant, called “Under,” is designed by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, famous for its work on the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt. It will stand on the sea bed five meters below the surface, with thick walls designed to withstand the most variable sea conditions. It will be Snøhetta’s first underwater project.

A view of the dining room area.
A view of the dining room area.
MIR and Snøhetta

“One of the benefits of this building is how it links nature and land, and how you can come safe from the land and in a very dramatic way go down through this concrete tube to the nature at sea level, and experience what normally is not experienced,” said Rune Grasdal, lead architect on the project.

Visitors can expect three levels and a capacity of up to 100 people. Below the entrance and the cloakroom there will be a champagne bar, to mark the transition between shoreline and ocean. Further down there will be a dining room, with two long tables and several smaller ones positioned in front of the large acrylic window, which will be 13 feet tall.

The restaurant will be completed in 2019.
The restaurant will be completed in 2019.
MIR and Snøhetta

Grasdal, who likened the building to a periscope, said it’s important people feel secure and not claustrophobic. To achieve this the design team took into consideration a myriad of elements, like natural materials – such as oak – and good lighting. Grasdal explains: “it should be an exciting experience but people should also feel secure and well when sitting down there.”

The structure will double as a marine biology lab.
The structure will double as a marine biology lab.
MIR and Snøhetta

Mural disappears with the tide

Head chef, Nicolai Ellitsgaard plans to offer a menu that will follow the flow of the seasons, with local vegetables in spring/summer and mushrooms and nuts in the winter, with shellfish influencing most dishes year-round.

Environmental considerations have guided the design, which is housed in a coarse concrete shell to invite mussels to cling on. Outside of opening hours, the unit will double as a marine biology research center, with planned experiments to study the behavior of marine life through shifting seasons.