Norway is no stranger to ambitious architecture, and one of the country’s most striking examples sits tucked away in the forest an hour’s drive northwest of Oslo.
Known as The Twist, this aluminium-clad structure is a footbridge, yes, but so much more too. It's also a bold fusion of art gallery, architectural sculpture, and scenic viewing platform, all suspended above the Randselva river.
Located at the Kistefos Museum and Sculpture Park in Jevnaker, The Twist has become the defining landmark of one of Scandinavia’s most unique cultural destinations.
From Industrial Heritage to Contemporary Art
Kistefos began as a revitalisation of a former wood pulp mill, the oldest of its kind in Scandinavia.
The site’s industrial past hasn’t been erased but rather celebrated, with the original factory buildings preserved and repurposed into a museum that tells the story of Norway’s industrial heritage.
But what truly sets Kistefos apart is its integration of art and nature. The sprawling riverside sculpture park is home to more than 50 installations by celebrated contemporary artists, including Anish Kapoor, Olafur Eliasson, Yayoi Kusama, and Tony Cragg.
Visitors can wander through woodland trails and riverside paths, encountering large-scale works that feel organically woven into the landscape.
A Bridge, a Building, a Sculpture
Opened in 2019, The Twist added a new dimension to the park—both literally and conceptually. Designed by the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the Danish architecture firm known for bold, unconventional structures, The Twist was conceived as an “inhabitable sculpture.”
From a distance, the building appears to contort across the river, the middle section rotating 90 degrees. The twisting form gives the impression of movement—an architectural gesture frozen in time.
Creative Director Bjarke Ingels described the project as one that blurs traditional categories:
“As a bridge it reconfigures the sculpture park, turning the journey through the park into a continuous loop. As a museum it connects two distinct spaces – an introverted vertical gallery and an extroverted horizontal gallery with panoramic views across the river. A third space is created through the blatant translation between these two galleries creating the namesake twist. The resultant form becomes another sculpture among the sculptures of the park.”
The result is a building that both blends into and boldly contrasts with its natural surroundings. Its reflective exterior mirrors the forest and river, while its dramatic twist captures the imagination.
Light, Space, and Perspective
Inside, The Twist is just as impressive. Floor-to-ceiling windows at the north end flood the space with light and frame a serene view of the Randselva.
Meanwhile, the aluminium panels that form the building’s spine subtly shift in alignment, creating a rippling fan-like effect along the ceiling.
The interior functions as an art gallery, hosting a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions. The inaugural show, Hodgkin and Creed – Inside Out, featured works by British artists Howard Hodgkin and Martin Creed, offering a dynamic interplay of colour, emotion, and conceptual playfulness.
Exhibitions change regularly, meaning there’s always something new to experience inside the twisting walls—whether it’s paintings, installations, or multi-sensory art that plays with the unusual shape of the building.
A Royal Opening
When The Twist officially opened in September 2019, it attracted international attention—not just from architecture fans and art lovers, but also from royalty and dignitaries.
Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, and then-Prime Minister Erna Solberg were among the guests at the opening ceremony.
Since then, the building has garnered global praise and awards, appearing in architecture magazines, design blogs, and travel features worldwide. Its success has helped cement Kistefos as a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the intersection of art, nature, and Nordic innovation.
Planning Your Visit
Kistefos is located in Jevnaker, around 80km northwest of Oslo, and is an easy day trip by car. The museum and sculpture park are open seasonally, typically from late spring through early autumn, with exact dates varying each year.
Allow at least two to three hours to explore the full site. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as much of the sculpture park lies along woodland paths and riverbanks.
While there is a café and gift shop on-site, many visitors opt to bring a picnic and soak up the surroundings.
Whether you’re coming for the architecture, the exhibitions, or the chance to wander through a forest filled with world-class sculptures, Kistefos offers something truly out of the ordinary.
What do you think of The Twist? Let us know down in the comments.
