Biotope Arkitektur, an architectural practice in Vardø, has over the years designed and built many bird hides in their local area Varanger which is a real paradise for birdwatchers. Thorough local birding knowledge and the aim of developing avitourism have decided the locations of these strategically placed structures. The buildings are small with simple contemporary designs predominantly made of wood and glass. This is architecture to promote experiencing nature.

Each bird hide has its own site specific design to fit in with the local habitat. “It is what you experience using our architectural structures that’s important, not the architecture itself”, say the architects and birders Tormod Amundsen, Elin Tananger and Alonza Garbett. Since inception their practice has grown and there are now more members of staff.