Two distinctive timber building traditions found their confluence in Norwegian architecture. Photo by The Mirrorcube, 2010 by Tham & Videgård; The Cabin, 2010 by Cyrén & Cyrén “Our national identity,” the Finnish government declared in 1998, “has often found its most durable expressions through architecture.” This is attributable in large measure to Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto, innovators who elevated Finnish architecture to elite status. Exterior cladding varied by region, often to take into account local climate conditions. Throughout the 20th century, Scandinavian archeologists have also been attempting to reconstruct prehistoric houses. Oslo. As late as in 1922, there were many who felt that working-class families had no need for their own bath; apartments and small houses only included a small kitchen and one or two rooms. Initially working with two classmates from school (receiving their first commision before graduating) and later on his own, Saarinen became the leading practitioner of a new national style fusing traditional Finnish building forms with Art Nouveau. Until modern times, transportation infrastructure was also primitive, and builders largely had to rely on locally available materials. Helsinki Central Railway Station, 1919 by Eliel SaarinenHis pioneering works included the Paimio Sanatorium of 1933, celebrated for both maximizing light and air for tuberculosis patients and for his bentwood Paimio chair, exemplifying the connection between Scandinavian architecture and design. Blazing a path that many young rising stars of Scandinavian architecture have followed, Saarinen shot to fame by winning a number of architectural competitions while still in his twenties. Until the 20th century, most Norwegians lived and worked in buildings that were designed and built according to Since the Middle Ages, most dwellings were log houses with notched corners, carefully crafted to ensure protection against the elements. Until the late nineteenth century, Scandinavia was considered an architectural lightweight, as its castles, cathedrals, and other major buildings were usually built in historical styles borrowed from abroad. “Swedish buildings usually work well, but they are rarely particularly innovative or fun,” architect Per Kraft noted in 2007. Before World War II, a number of cooperative investment projects known as "egne hjem" (roughly "our own homes") resulted in a handful of developments, but after the war these gave way to cooperative organizations that were formed to finance and build large-scale residential complexes. Added to the longstanding priorities of functionality and balance with nature is an increasing urgency for environmental sustainability. Most important was the introduction of massive The first stone churches in Norway were Romanesque, built under the influence of Several churches that were originally built as Romanesque structures were modified or extended during the Gothic period. This was a cultural triumph with political overtones at a time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire (independence came in 1917) and Swedish was the country’s primary language of government, business, and academics. Harpa concert and conference hall, 2011 by Henning Larsen Architects & Ólafur Elíasson Scandinavian architecture continues to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the day with creativity and innovation. No Saarinen or Aalto figure emerged to lead Norwegian architecture onto the world stage. Over time, many of the fortifications at border areas and ports were modernized in line with Baroque military practice. These structures followed the European styles of their time. Norwegian architects have been recognized for their work, both within Norway—where architecture has been considered an expression of social policy—and outside Norway, in several innovative projects.Construction in Norway has always been characterized by the need to shelter people, animals, and property from harsh weather, including predictably cold winters and frost, heavy precipitation in certain areas, wind and storms; and to make the most of scarce building resources. Ulf Grønvold: Hundre års nasjonsbygging: arkitektur og samfunn 1905 - 2005. Oslo City Hall, 1950 by Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus PoulssonVennesla Library and Cultural Centre, 2011 by Helen & Hard Icelandic architecture draws heavily on the island’s breathtaking natural landscapes. Prior to this only 200 sites were immediately visible from the surface layer.
Two distinctive timber building traditions found their confluence in Norwegian architecture. Photo by The Mirrorcube, 2010 by Tham & Videgård; The Cabin, 2010 by Cyrén & Cyrén “Our national identity,” the Finnish government declared in 1998, “has often found its most durable expressions through architecture.” This is attributable in large measure to Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto, innovators who elevated Finnish architecture to elite status. Exterior cladding varied by region, often to take into account local climate conditions. Throughout the 20th century, Scandinavian archeologists have also been attempting to reconstruct prehistoric houses. Oslo. As late as in 1922, there were many who felt that working-class families had no need for their own bath; apartments and small houses only included a small kitchen and one or two rooms. Initially working with two classmates from school (receiving their first commision before graduating) and later on his own, Saarinen became the leading practitioner of a new national style fusing traditional Finnish building forms with Art Nouveau. Until modern times, transportation infrastructure was also primitive, and builders largely had to rely on locally available materials. Helsinki Central Railway Station, 1919 by Eliel SaarinenHis pioneering works included the Paimio Sanatorium of 1933, celebrated for both maximizing light and air for tuberculosis patients and for his bentwood Paimio chair, exemplifying the connection between Scandinavian architecture and design. Blazing a path that many young rising stars of Scandinavian architecture have followed, Saarinen shot to fame by winning a number of architectural competitions while still in his twenties. Until the 20th century, most Norwegians lived and worked in buildings that were designed and built according to Since the Middle Ages, most dwellings were log houses with notched corners, carefully crafted to ensure protection against the elements. Until the late nineteenth century, Scandinavia was considered an architectural lightweight, as its castles, cathedrals, and other major buildings were usually built in historical styles borrowed from abroad. “Swedish buildings usually work well, but they are rarely particularly innovative or fun,” architect Per Kraft noted in 2007. Before World War II, a number of cooperative investment projects known as "egne hjem" (roughly "our own homes") resulted in a handful of developments, but after the war these gave way to cooperative organizations that were formed to finance and build large-scale residential complexes. Added to the longstanding priorities of functionality and balance with nature is an increasing urgency for environmental sustainability. Most important was the introduction of massive The first stone churches in Norway were Romanesque, built under the influence of Several churches that were originally built as Romanesque structures were modified or extended during the Gothic period. This was a cultural triumph with political overtones at a time when Finland was part of the Russian Empire (independence came in 1917) and Swedish was the country’s primary language of government, business, and academics. Harpa concert and conference hall, 2011 by Henning Larsen Architects & Ólafur Elíasson Scandinavian architecture continues to respond to the challenges and opportunities of the day with creativity and innovation. No Saarinen or Aalto figure emerged to lead Norwegian architecture onto the world stage. Over time, many of the fortifications at border areas and ports were modernized in line with Baroque military practice. These structures followed the European styles of their time. Norwegian architects have been recognized for their work, both within Norway—where architecture has been considered an expression of social policy—and outside Norway, in several innovative projects.Construction in Norway has always been characterized by the need to shelter people, animals, and property from harsh weather, including predictably cold winters and frost, heavy precipitation in certain areas, wind and storms; and to make the most of scarce building resources. Ulf Grønvold: Hundre års nasjonsbygging: arkitektur og samfunn 1905 - 2005. Oslo City Hall, 1950 by Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus PoulssonVennesla Library and Cultural Centre, 2011 by Helen & Hard Icelandic architecture draws heavily on the island’s breathtaking natural landscapes. Prior to this only 200 sites were immediately visible from the surface layer.