Top 5 Norwegian Architectural Firms
From the Art Nouveau style of Ålesund to the modern appearance of Oslo, Norway truly has some impressive architecture. This is the result of centuries of some of the world's greatest architects being born and raised in Norway and spreading their influence and skill sets to other young architectural minds.
For anyone who enjoys admiring unique buildings, Norway is a good destination these days. Although there are works from countless architects that deserve admiring, these are the top five Norwegian architectural firms you should know.
JVA
The architectural firm Jarmund Vigsnæs Arkitekter, or JVA for short, has been revolutionizing Norway since 1996. Their large catalog of urban and residential housing projects involves incredibly unique designs that are thought of as thought-provoking or interesting, rather than beautiful. Throughout the last two decades, JVA has designed some very popular buildings, such as The Dune House, the Gullesfjord Weight Control Station and the Rabot Tourist cabin.
Biotope
Unlike the rest of the architects on this list, Biotope has chosen to follow a very specific style with their buildings. Their architecture catalog is almost entirely buildings that are designed for bird-watching. Perhaps one of their most famous examples is the Kongsfjord Wind Shelter & Bird Hide, which uses large windows and a dark color to blend nicely with its surroundings near the edge of the Barents Sea.
Snøhetta
The way that the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta integrates nature into its designs is absolutely incredible. Their many commercial buildings can be found throughout the country and the rest of the world as well. Some of the most well-known examples include the Opera House in Oslo, which uses the Oslofjord water as a border surrounding the building, as well as the Norwegian Wild Reindeer Centre Pavilion located at Hjerkinn, which uses a natural timber material to provide people with a way to learn about local reindeer.
Rever and Drage
Primarily focused on residential designs, the architecture firm Rever and Drage takes pride in making their buildings smaller in size but greater in beauty and intrigue. They love to include skylights in their building designs, which is evident based on some of their most famous works like the Pedveregen 8 and Feisteinveien.
Saunders
Although this firm was originally founded by a Canadian, the company’s home base has been located in Norway for many years and a large portion of their works can be seen throughout the country. Saunders has ventured into many different types of architecture and enjoys using various contemporary materials in order to provide a unique texture and shape to every one of their buildings, such as the Stegastien Viewpoint in Aurland, a sight you can visit on our Norway in a Nutshell® tour.
Although there are many different talented architects throughout Norway, these are the five who are going above and beyond in their work and are the reason why so many people come to admire and draw inspiration from Norwegian architecture every year.
Get inspired!
Looking for inspiration for your next trip? Dive into all things Norwegian, from the Northern lights, to famous movie locations and delicious culinary delights.
Norway´s famous fjords
It’s no secret that Norway is famous for its magnificent fjords. No trip to Norway would be complete without a visit to one of the world-famous fjords! We’ve put together a list of the most famous and beautiful fjords Norway has to offer, so you can plan your next trip to our fair land.
Sognefjord in a Nutshell™ highlights
The Ledleys experienced Flåm and the famous Norwegian fjords on their visit to Norway. This is the very best experiences on the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
The Flåm Railway - one of the world's best train journeys
Lonely Planet named it the best train journey in the world. Norway's Flåm Railway is a truly unique experience of breathtaking nature and quaint fjord villages. "It's so powerful and dramatic," says Audrey Olson, who experienced the train journey as part of the Sognefjord in a Nutshell tour.
A fjord for everyone
It seems like everywhere you look in Norway, there is another amazing fjord full of dazzling sights and experiences. With over 1,100 fjords throughout the country, even most locals have not seen them all. But, when you visit Norway, going on a fjord safari is an absolute must since they are such a big part of the country’s identity.
Get to know the Norwegians
The typical Norwegian cherishes nature and embraces the great outdoors. Minimalist in design and lifestyle, they prioritize practicality. Norwegians honor heritage and folklore, fostering a vibrant, inclusive society that blends tradition with a modern, open-minded outlook while embracing sustainability.
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Why Norway Is Perfect for Adventure Travelers
Norway is often referred to as a dream destination for adventure travelers. The varied Norwegian landscapes provide adventurers with a rich diversity of outdoor activities to choose from throughout the year, including hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and rock climbing, to name a few. There's no shortage of thrilling experiences to be had in Norway's great outdoors!
The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day
The 17th of May is Norway’s national day, and what a party it is! Though many countries mark their national day with military parades, Norway’s celebration is lighthearted and fun, with a special focus on kids enjoying this special day. In this article, we’ll tell you all about Norway’s Constitution Day, how it began, and how it’s celebrated across Norway today.
Why a Scanditour is the New Eurotour
Done the whole Eurotrip thing? Looking for some fresh insight into where your next travel adventure should be? Head over to Scandinavia, and Norway in particular.
What is ‘slow travel’ and why Norway ticks all the boxes
Have you ever felt more exhausted after a trip than before you left? Then you have probably done the exact opposite of slow travel! When slow traveling, there is no need for a vacation after your vacation.It is not about "likes" that generate hotspots on Instagram and overwhelmingly long bucket lists.
How to stay warm and koselig this winter
Anyone who has ever taken a trip to Norway during the winter season knows just how vicious the Norwegian winters have the potential to be. This is especially true for Northern Norway where you can find really cold temperatures. So how do Norwegians tolerate the cold and long winter? With the “philophy of koselig” of course.
Learn Norwegian words and phrases before your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you might be interested in learning a few Norwegian words and phrases. It can be really helpful to have some handy phrases up your sleeve for communicating with locals during your upcoming trip to Norway, so we’ve prepared a great guide that will help you learn the lingo before you arrive!
Sustainable travel in Norway
These days, more and more travellers are focused on sustainable travel. People want to experience their dream destinations while minimizing the negative impact on the local environment and community. Fortunately, Norway is one of the most sustainable countries in the world, and plenty of measures have been taken to ensure that travellers can enjoy an eco-friendly Norwegian holiday.
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Why Norway Is Perfect for Adventure Travelers
Norway is often referred to as a dream destination for adventure travelers. The varied Norwegian landscapes provide adventurers with a rich diversity of outdoor activities to choose from throughout the year, including hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and rock climbing, to name a few. There's no shortage of thrilling experiences to be had in Norway's great outdoors!
The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day
The 17th of May is Norway’s national day, and what a party it is! Though many countries mark their national day with military parades, Norway’s celebration is lighthearted and fun, with a special focus on kids enjoying this special day. In this article, we’ll tell you all about Norway’s Constitution Day, how it began, and how it’s celebrated across Norway today.
Why a Scanditour is the New Eurotour
Done the whole Eurotrip thing? Looking for some fresh insight into where your next travel adventure should be? Head over to Scandinavia, and Norway in particular.
What is ‘slow travel’ and why Norway ticks all the boxes
Have you ever felt more exhausted after a trip than before you left? Then you have probably done the exact opposite of slow travel! When slow traveling, there is no need for a vacation after your vacation.It is not about "likes" that generate hotspots on Instagram and overwhelmingly long bucket lists.
How to stay warm and koselig this winter
Anyone who has ever taken a trip to Norway during the winter season knows just how vicious the Norwegian winters have the potential to be. This is especially true for Northern Norway where you can find really cold temperatures. So how do Norwegians tolerate the cold and long winter? With the “philophy of koselig” of course.
Learn Norwegian words and phrases before your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you might be interested in learning a few Norwegian words and phrases. It can be really helpful to have some handy phrases up your sleeve for communicating with locals during your upcoming trip to Norway, so we’ve prepared a great guide that will help you learn the lingo before you arrive!
Sustainable travel in Norway
These days, more and more travellers are focused on sustainable travel. People want to experience their dream destinations while minimizing the negative impact on the local environment and community. Fortunately, Norway is one of the most sustainable countries in the world, and plenty of measures have been taken to ensure that travellers can enjoy an eco-friendly Norwegian holiday.