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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Milica Cosic

Strange UFO-shaped building appears on Norwegian lake leaving locals baffled

To the shock of locals, a bizarre-looking UFO-shaped building has been spotted floating about on a Norwegian lake.

The so-called Salmon Eye structure, which is situated in Norway's Hardangerfjord, just outside Rosendal, was unveiled this month.

While it looks totally strange from the outside - with its shine almost resembling a salmon fish or whale - it has actually been described as a 'floating aquaculture information centre and art installation '.

Built to withstand waves over 13ft (4m), the space inside the otherworldly pavilion has been created with the aim to inspire and inform the world on how to better feed the planet with sustainable seafood.

The unveiling of the Salmon Eye took place earlier this month, on the 2 September (Kvorning Design/SWNS)

And despite the facade being revealed, the interior of the 48ft-high (14.5m) building is being kept under wraps for the moment. However, it has been excitedly reported that a cinema and exhibition space will feature inside and cover its four floors.

To add to its futuristic shape, visitors also will be able to make a grand entrance. It is planned that tourists and locals can visit the Salmon Eye by electric boats.

Pictures of the sculpture also show it features a lookout point from the top floor - perfect for taking a picture, or seven, of the Norwegian fjords.

Created by Danish architects Kvorning Design, the project was conceived and financed by Sondre Eide, the CEO of the third-generation salmon farming business of Eide Fjordbruk.

Visitors will be able to arrive to the Salmon Eye by electric boats (S. L Torjusen/Kvorning Design)

Speaking about the idea of the whole project, Gitte Olsson, Kvorning Design Communications Manager, explained: "Salmon Eye is a world-class visitor and learning centre designed to communicate the impact of aquaculture and its production techniques.

"The exterior design of the centre mimics the shiny, silvery skin of salmon and the shape takes after the fish's eye - hence the name of the center Salmon Eye."

He continued: "It glistens brightly in the Hardangerfjord, one of Norway's most stunning fjords, and can be seen from miles away - it can even be seen from an airplane landing at the nearby airport or through the latest uploaded satellite images made by Google Earth.

"Indeed, it is quickly becoming an iconic, floating landmark in Norway."

The designers wanted to create an 'immersive experience' within the Salmon Eye itself (Kvorning Design/SWNS)

And the mastermind of the architectural design of the pavilion, Arne Kvorning, went on to say that he wanted to create a space that was 'visionary' - and to set 'new standards' for the design world.

The CEO of Kvorning Design said: "Salmon Eye will become an international design icon for Eide Fjordbruk and revolutionise sustainable aquaculture in the future.

"I am convinced that the floating aquaculture information centre and art installation will be setting new standards for sustainable aquaculture in every aspect. Design, interaction, research, technology, and immersive experiences.

"I am extremely thrilled to experience how the initial ideas are intact. Salmon Eye looks completely like our early visuals. It has been fantastic to design the floating pavilion together with such a trustful, ambitious and visionary entrepreneur like Sondre Eide, the Eide family, and the dedicated team at Eide Fjordbruk who believed in the idea and envisioned its full potential from the very beginning three years ago."

The designers say the UFO like building 'mimics the shiny, silvery skin of salmon' - hence its name (Kvorning Design/SWNS)

While the full interior has not been revealed yet, Olsson has described his visions for the place.

He said: "The interior consist of a cinema space in the lower section and the next levels are characterised by a combination of a unique spiraling ramp construction and exhibition platforms that offers a perfect visitor flow and a very flexible space for various exhibitions, conferences and events related to the industry.

"On top of Salmon Eye there is an open roof terrace with a fantastic 360 degrees view to the fjord and the surrounding mountains - and to Eide Fjordbruk's floating production facilities."

Unfortunately, for those that are keen to visit the space, the opening date of the Salmon Eye is not currently available.

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