Mountain Restaurant Welcomes Skiers In The Swedish Landscape

Hemavan is a beautiful region in Sweden, most famous for being a family-friendly ski resort. Here, along the line of the snowy birch trees, Murman Architects built the Bjork restaurant. The studio is composed of talented architects, designers and structural engineers and was founded in 1985 by Hans Murman.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter
Restaurant Bjork in Sweden A frame structure

The team follows the entire construction process from conception to completion and always looks for new ways to customize each project and to create innovative and personalized solutions meant to strengthen the identity of each client.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

This restaurant was completed in 2015 and occupies an area of 350 square meters. It can sit a total of 80 guests on two floors and serves an international menu created with local produce. Given its close proximity to the ski resort and the valley, the restaurant was designed to make skiers feel welcome and comfortable.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter
Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

It has become a landmark in the area, being distinctive and unique. The restaurant was designed with an emphasis on the relation between the building and the nature and landscape surrounding it both during the summer and winter months.

Mountain restaurant bjork in hemavan murman architects

The panoramic view of the mountains to the South welcomes skiers and visitors revealing the location’s uniqueness and beauty. The architects tried to make the building look and feel natural on the site. They gave it an A frame design which mimics the mountain peaks and they used that to their advantage when designing the interior.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter
Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

The restaurant was designed to be lifted by helicopter and to be placed directly onto the site with minimal impact on the surroundings. A temporary road was built during the construction period and was removed later on. Now visitors can simply ski to reach the restaurant.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter
Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

The building was easily constructed on site from prefabricated parts. This made the process simple and quick. An inviting entrance and an adjacent outdoor area are situated to the South. The wooden beams are visible on both the interior and the exterior of the building, maintaining a rustic allure throughout.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

Durable and friendly materials were used on the floor and throughout the restaurant in order to prevent slipping with ski boots and making guests feel welcome. The palette of materials and colors was toned down in favor of the strong forms of the landscape.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter
Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter

Bjork, the name of the restaurant, translates as “birch”, symbolizing the large amount of wood used in the project. The furniture is simple and mostly made of pinewood and the facade is finished with panels of untreated wood left to weather naturally.

Mountain Restaurant Björk in Hemavan Design nook

The restaurant’s triangular shape creates an upper floor similar to a cozy attic, with wood-paneled walls and windows at the ends.

Topprestaurang Björk Hemavan, Murman Arkitekter