Art meets nature in Norway

An ambitious series of stunning architectural designs is turning the spotlight on Norway's natural beauty. Gwladys Fouché takes a tour.
See some of the designs in our gallery.

From the road the metallic viewing platform looks like a snake zigzagging through the trees. It was so intriguing when I passed it that I stopped to take a closer look. Forty-five minutes later I am still here, awed by this architectural gem and how it fits in with the natural landscape.

Situated in a remote valley in northwest Norway, the Gudbrandsjuvet platform is part of a project to revamp 18 tourist highways across the country. Norway's national road agency is spending a staggering £1bn until 2012 on the project and has so far commissioned over 45 architecture and landscaping firms to come up with designs for panoramic viewpoints, picnic spots, rest areas and other installations. LINK