About us

OFF-GRID LUXURY

At PAN guests enjoy an exquisite blend of seclusion and luxury amidst the natural beauty of the forest. These cabins, designed with sustainable Scandinavian architecture, feature modern amenities and expansive glass windows that invites the outside world to the inside. This off-grid luxury retreat is made for those seeking tranquility and a deep connection with nature while enjoying contemporary comforts.

THE HISTORY – THE MAGIC OF THE NATURE

From the 1500 century, the border between Norway and Sweden was populated by a new group of settlers that immigrated from Savolax in Finland. They settled in the rich woodland area of Solør, the area we now know as Finnskogen. Often referred to as “Forest Finns”, the settlers brought with them many new customs that seemed strange to the local residents. For instance, they practiced a form of agriculture called “slash and burn”. They burned down woodland and sowed the corn in the ashes. This kind of agriculture demanded a great deal of knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the nature, which the Forest Finns had in abundance. Local inhabitants who farmed the land in a more traditional way often viewed this practice as inexplicable and supernatural.

Mysticism has always been a part of the daily life at Finnskogen. The art of healing and supernatural powers are closely linked to the Forest Finns’ culture. The mythology of the Forest Finns had several prominent characters, all sharing a strong attachment to nature. The most central god of the Forest Finns’ lore was Tapio. Tapio is the Finnish version of Pan, the Greek god of forests and meadows. There are several places in Solør that bear names stemming from the Finnish settlers, and today, the Finnish settlers are recognized as a national minority.

THE VISION - INSPIRATION FROM THE FOREST

The western parts of Norway are known for steep mountains and fjords, while the north of Norway have the best possibilities in the world for observing the aurora borealis, the northern lights. However, for tourist, Norway has so much more to offer. In the eastern parts, you have the largest belt of forest in the world. The Taiga, also known as boreal forest or snow forest, is the largest biome on land and covers most of the northern latitude. When entering Finnskogen, you find yourself in the middle of this massive ecological system, and there is no other place in Norway where you can encounter the same unique wildlife, including elk, venison, capercaillie, wolf, bear, lynx and a plethora of other animals.

PAN Treetop cabins offer a unique possibility for nature lovers seeking the tranquility of the forest, exciting activities, traditional food, and extraordinary animal life. A stay in our comfortable cabins is suitable for families of all ages, groups of friends and all travelers with the desire to experience the real Norwegian wilderness.

AWARDS

The cabins have received a lot of attention for the unique design and cutting-edge engineering solutions. In 2019, PAN Treetop Cabins won the main prize in the prestigious European Steel Design Awards architecture competition, beating notable finalists such as the headquarters of Adidas, the new tennis arena at the French Open and nine others. PAN Treetop Cabins have also been nominated for several international awards, including  Arch Daily Building of the Year Awards, Deezeen Awards, Architizer A + Awards and AD Design Awards. We also won Architecture +Metal in 2023 in Architizer.

DESIGN

PAN Treetop Cabins are designed by architect MNAL Espen Surnevik, with structural calculations completed by Master of Science Finn-Erik Nilsen. The architect’s vision was to create something that would seamlessly integrateinto the landscape, without making a big change in the surrounding nature. The forest itself has been the biggest source of inspiration, but the creative design process also drew influences from the North American A-lodges, modern power line constructions, and the houses of the Moomin characters. Architect MNAL Espen Surnevik won the Norwegian Award for Building Design in 2016 and received several international prizes for excellent architecture for his work on Vaaler Kirke. Master of Science Finn-Erik Nilsen has been involved in the development of well-known monuments such as the Norwegian Scenic Routes and Juvet Landscape Hotel. The PAN Treetop Cabins represents an innovative and challenging project.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT

The angles and placements of the cabins have carefully been adjusted to the sun, ensuring an optimal experience of natural light and nature at any time. The large glass facades allow natural light to pour in, adding ambience to the experience while simultaneously warming up the living area. The energy-efficient design of the cabin naturally minimizes energy expenditure, aligning with our vision of creating an environmentally conscious recreational activity.

Materials, interior and flooring are all chosen specifically to adhere to sustainable principles. This plays along with the natural lighting, creating an ambiance that makes you feel as if you are sitting outside in nature, even though you are indoors. At night, you can sit in the cabin and watch the sunset, forming a landscape slowly transitioning into night, accompanied by the changing sounds of the forest as the light diminishes.

A crucial principle has been to ensure that the cabins blend in seamlessly with the surroundings, in a non-intrusive way. The underlying idea is that you should be able to remove the cabins, and not be able to see any trace of human activity left behind.

SAFE AND SECURE

A winding staircase encased in a wired cylinder leads up to the cabin. Natural light permeates through the wiring of the cylinder. Beneath the cabins, braided steel works support the structure. The cabins are not attached to the trees for safety reasons and to preserve nature. Instead of feeling the swaying of the cabins in the wind, the trees will move while the cabins remain still. The cabin is situated atop four pillars anchored to the natural rocky ground, ensuring the cabins are as safe as houses built on the ground. PAN Treetop Cabins are built to withstand the force of more than two hurricanes, making them secure for every weather condition experienced in this part of Norway.

FAQ

No, animals are not allowed in the cabins.

The cabins are approximately 80-100 meters apart. There are fire pits and seating areas at each cabin.

You can park right next to the cabins.

Gapahuken is about 1 km from PAN. There is also a fire pit and seating areas