Bicycle tunnel
In the planning phase of the long tram tunnel through Løvstakken mountain, clients wanted to secure infrastructural escape routes through stairwells. 3RW and the advisory group proposed to convert the routes into a long escape tunnel, which could also be used for cycling and walking: this allowed the creation of a connection between Bergen’s center and the neighboring area of Fyllingsdalen, which is located on the other side of the city’s mountains. The new Løvstakken bike tunnel reaches an impressive three kilometers in length; it was crucial that it was built in ways which secured a good and safe experience of the space. With the help of a psychologist, a lighting designer and engineers, 3RW formalized the concept for the world’s longest cycle tunnel.
Simple physical and visual measures are utilized to good ends, ultimately turning the tunnel into a great success and attraction.
Lighting plays a key role in 3RW arkitekter’s vision of the Løvstakken tunnel. Pockets of rest space—secured anchor points—are made visible from afar. Three opened rooms are designed, with the central opening comfortably adorned with benches and light sculptures. Finally, following inspirations from Goethe’s ‘additive color mixture’ (a nine-part color triangle with the so-called primary, secondary, and tertiary colors), 3RW’s concept proposed that light colors partially change every 250 metres. Fyllingsdalen starts with green; the centre finishes in blue. The warmest colors light up the middle of the tunnel, where most visual security is needed. A general feeling of coherence and continuity is achieved through the use of this coloured lighting scheme.
