The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority Headquarters represents a new definition for the ‘spec’ office: ambitious design and a high environmental certification at a competitive price.
Located on a compact, waterfront property, hidden from the street, the building exploits the level difference between street and waterfront, tunneling through the existing building to become the lobby and restaurant. The building completes the urban fabric, while providing the Civil Aviation Authorities with a stand-alone building – connected and free.
Respecting the many sightlines of the city, the building is surgically cut, capturing the dynamic light of the north in surprising ways. The stone facade was designed explicitly with the unique natural conditions in mind: a five-tone color gradation from black to white, varying in size and finish (large, polished at the base and small, hammered at the top). These qualities create a sculptural building that changes as quickly and frequently as the physical environment around it.
