Under: Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant Looks Like A Rock From Outside, But Only Until You Step Inside

Europe is home to the Greek Parthenon in Athens, the Roman Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris and many, many more architectural masterpieces. You know what it’s lacking, though? An underwater restaurant. But a company called Snøhetta (previously here) is on a quest to change that. They have designed a three-level structure with a 36-foot-wide panoramic window that allows visitors to “journey” to the sea in southern Norway.

At first glance, “Under” looks like a concrete container, tossed into the shallows near the village Båly, but once inside it radiates life. The restaurant will have the space to fit up to 100 guests, and the building will even double as a marine research centre when no one is dining.

“More than an aquarium, the structure will become a part of its marine environment, coming to rest directly on the sea bed five meters below the water’s surface,” Snøhetta writes. “Like a sunken periscope, the restaurant’s massive acrylic windows offer a view of the seabed as it changes throughout the seasons and varying weather conditions.”

Snøhetta hopes to begin construction next year, with the goal of opening in 2019.

More info: snohetta.com | under.no

Under: Europe's First Underwater Restaurant Looks Like A Rock From Outside, But Only Until You Step Inside

Greta is a Photo Editor-in-Chief at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication.In 2016, she graduated from Digital Advertising courses where she had an opportunity to meet and learn from industry professionals. In the same year, she started working at Bored Panda as a photo editor.Greta is a coffeeholic and cannot survive a day without 5 cups of coffee... and her cute, big-eared dog.Her biggest open secret: she is a gamer with a giant gaming backlog.

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What do you think ?

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Stille20 7 years ago

I'm pretty sure this is going to be the setting for the climax of some action film.. I going with the next James Bond.

36points

BlahBlah 7 years ago

Or Prometheus 2 : P

3points

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Katinka Min 7 years ago

So much money and resources to destroy a lovely little cove with an ugly stonecontainer, just so a dozen people have a really fab view while having lunch. Lunch, because at dinnertime it'll be dark, so all you'll see is your reflection in the window. Stupid project, imo.

32points

The Cappy 7 years ago

This may or may not be a good thing but... (1) It's 100 people, (2) since the place isn't destroyed after the first batch leaves, it’s potentially a lot more (see how that works?), and (3) at mid-summer, daylight lasts more than 20 hours.

8points

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Alextrónica 7 years ago

You must be great at parties.

6points

Echo 7 years ago

Not that I disagree with Katinka, but I assume this was done while taking into account the effects the "box" would have on that ecosystem. I didn't read the full text, but I would also assume that the structure would be giving some money generated in to preserving that little cove. I mean it would be in their interest to keep it beautiful, alive, and protected. No one wants to go to lunch and stare at dead sea floor.

6points

Gayle Bynum Cardosa 7 years ago

Did you even read the article? Do you know how artificial reefs are done? This will become like an artificial reef. At dinnertime it will be dark and you'll only see your reflection? They will probably have underwater lights set at low levels like most yachts do. Not stupid at all. It's not bad.

1point

Foxy Lady 7 years ago

Absolutely! This isn't a healthy change at all

-1point

Angie Chan 7 years ago

Is that supposed to be a food item in the 5th picture? I'm a pretty adventurous eater, but that dish makes me think it was seasoned with the crispy bugs pulled from my ceiling lights.

27points

Kara Witham 7 years ago

Yeah, the food looks unappetizing.

20points

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POST

Stille20 7 years ago

I'm pretty sure this is going to be the setting for the climax of some action film.. I going with the next James Bond.

36points

BlahBlah 7 years ago

Or Prometheus 2 : P

3points

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Katinka Min 7 years ago

32points

The Cappy 7 years ago

8points

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Alextrónica 7 years ago

You must be great at parties.

6points

Echo 7 years ago

6points

Gayle Bynum Cardosa 7 years ago

1point

Foxy Lady 7 years ago

Absolutely! This isn't a healthy change at all

-1point

Angie Chan 7 years ago

Is that supposed to be a food item in the 5th picture? I'm a pretty adventurous eater, but that dish makes me think it was seasoned with the crispy bugs pulled from my ceiling lights.

27points