The Sami Parliament is located in Karasjok, as far north in Norway as you can get. The building is situated among rough nature surrounded by forest, heather, and moss. During the winter months, the northern lights can be seen dancing above its rooftop. It is with this project Stein Halvorsen Arkitekter placed themselves on the architectonic map.
The building is cladded with Siberian larch arranged irregularly. This is a material that will adjust over time and give a resemblance to the traditional buildings in the region. The untreated pine used on the interior creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is the material that is used on most of the surfaces. In the assembly hall, the glass situated in the ceiling brings the nature and northern light inside. The symbolic “tower” is created using glulam structure. This is a symbol of the Sami culture. The new office wing is attached via a glass bridge.
The Sami Parliament is awarded the two most important Norwegian architectonic prizes and got honorable mentions in The Architectural Review, Deutsche Bauzeitchrift, and Wallpaper.
