Norway’s Nasjonale Turistveger is taking the highway rest stop to a higher level.

American rest stops are often associated with abductions, rapes, snipers, drug trafficking, and the obesity epidemic. Unless you happen to be traveling through Vermont, they’re cautionary places to quickly attend to your business without talking to strangers. That could all change if we, as a nation, adopted more of a Norwegian attitude towards road trips.

In 2005, Norway launched The National Tourist Routes, a government-sponsored campaign to combine sustainable tourism with bold architecture. They’re working with architects, including Margrete Friis, Peter Zumthor, PUSHAK arkitekter, Code Arkitektur, Manthey Kula, Snohetta, and Jensen & Skodvin, and asked them to create gorgeous, nature-aware, rest stops, observation decks, and other small-scale projects, which are dotted along scenic drives that trace the Norwegian countryside from the southern town of Jaeren to the northern city of Varenger.

Clearly, we here at EcoSalon have a bit of a Scandinavian fetish going. We heart their food, their (local) labor practices, their eco lodges, their eco writers. We’re pretty obsessed. Here are eight more reasons we love them, nine, if you count the picnic area above designed by 70ºN Arkitektur.

The Norwegian Uthus

Canadian-born, Norway-based architect Todd Saunders designed this structure. It’s a toilet. On the side of the road. Overlooking a fjord. Yeah.

Observasjon dekk

This is the adjoining observation deck at Aurland.

Naturskjønn rute

The Trollstigen, in rural Norway, is what you would call the scenic route. This lookout was designed by Reiulf Ramstad Architects.

Butikker

Also found at the Trollstigen lookout, these roadside concession stands are by Reiulf Ramstad Architects, as well.

Piknikbord

This one-person picnic table was designed by Jensen & Skodvin Architects.

Fugl tårn

A bird watching tower by 70ºN Arkitektur for when you feel like pulling over and observing some birds, of course. The entrances to the towers are screened off with high walls so that no human silhouettes are cast, thus disturbing the main attraction.

Bike Bygning/Meditation Room

A bike shed situated at Grunnfør on Austvågøy in northern Lofoten with a view towards Vesterålen. Here, you can seek shelter from the wind, which can get intense, and meditate. Also by 70ºN.

En annen toalett

You won’t find a footpath or toilet like this on the New Jersey turnpike, but you will at the Tungeneset rest stop. The service facilities, access ramp and picnic area are by Code Arkitektur. Landscape architecture by Aurora Landskap.

God bless America and all, but Norway puts this….

…to shame.

Images: Nasjonale Turistveger; ArchDaily; Good; Maryland Route 5

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The Vidje lounge, created by Norwegian designer Iris Djupvik, is a study in contrasts.

The Vidje lounge chair is the work of Norwegian designer Iris Djupvik who was inspired by both the fine craft of crochet and the kind of dependable sturdiness only a simple wooden chair could provide. What the designer wanted to know was whether wood could be crocheted and to “investigate the contrasts that arise from the interaction” between the two.

She also sought to explore the contrasts between the feminine and the masculine, light and shade, positive and negative.

In essence, the Vidje (especially when illuminated), “interacts” with the room it is in. Djupvik constructed the chair, which was featured at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2011, out of locally sourced laminated wood.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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I can’t believe it’s not toxic! You may not be giving yourself cancer as you scrub shower tile mold with your planet-friendly eco cleaning gel, but you are finding it frustratingly difficult to wipe away the problem – damn you chemicals that irritate my eyes and skin but actually work! Now we aren’t saying that there aren’t other green cleaning products that get the job done (because there are a variety to choose from), but we’ve all had those frustrating experiences too.

Now Scandinavian import Eco Clean makes green cleaning a satisfying experience.

Created by Danish scientist Jens Erik Hansen who is known for developing products with a low eco-toxicological profile, the line uses a natural amino acid derivative to do the dirty work. Eco Clean’s product range includes All Purpose Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Dish Wash Soap, Glass Cleaner, Kitchen Counter Top Cleaner and Hand Wash, all containing the special formula that helps improve cleaning power, while cutting down skin irritation.

Instead of harsh chemical surfactants, the Eco Clean line uses plant and sugar-based surfactants, specifically sugar beets. And instead of allergy-triggering synthetic fragrances, the products get the fabulous scents of orange, rosemary, spicy lavender and cool mint thanks to essential oils.

What’s more, the line is made in a SWAN certified factory, a Nordic eco label that only responsible manufacturers who prove ingredient integrity and purity get to boast. The PET bottles are also recyclable.

To try the line for yourself you can buy Eco Clean products at Duane Reade or Alice.com for the surprising low price of only $4.49 each.

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