Selvika is a sheltered sunny bay with a sandy beach on the road Rv899 between Kokelv and Havøysund. It's much loved among the locals for outings, be it swimming on a hot summer's day, fishing from the beach or simply enjoying the view of the islands and the distant horizon of the northern Norwegian Sea. Selvika Rest Area was built as part of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's National Tourist Routes project and is designed to entice visitors stop and enjoy this special location. By the road there are parking places for cars and bikes, but more importantly there are a viewing platform and toilets. A winding ramp connects these to the picnic area down on the beach which has a barbecue, fire pit, a table for food preparation and seating sheltered by walls and a roof, all built in concrete.

The architects drew inspiration from the surrounding landscape, which had been inhabited for five thousand years. The last residents abandoned Selvika in 1944, but there are still visible remains of Sami settlements including circular goahtis (traditional Sami buildings) and "hellegroper" which are oblong slate lined hollows used for extracting oil from the blubber of seal and whale or fatty fish.

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter AS

Norwegian Public Road Administrations National Tourist Routes Section

Rest area

Site-cast concrete