Snøhetta

Snøhetta values human interaction. All of our work strives to enhance our sense of place, identity and relationship to others and the physical spaces we inhabit, whether natural or human-made. Art museums, reindeer observatories, urban places and dollhouses receive the same care and attention to purpose. Essence, rather than trends drive our thoughts.

For over 25 years, we have been working internationally on a number of important public, landscape, and cultural projects. Snøhetta started its career in 1989 with the competition-winning entry for the new library of Alexandria, Egypt. This was later followed by the commission for the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo and the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in New York City, among many others. Since its inception, the practice has maintained its original trans-disciplinary approach, integrating architectural, landscape and interior design in all projects.

Our strength is our inclusive working methodology and values of human interaction and social sustainability. The methodology ensures a site-specific solution is created that meets Client and User needs for a successful and engaging public space.
Currently, Snøhetta is working on cultural and public projects across the US, including the redevelopment Times Square, under construction in New York City, the expansion of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Expansion in California, the Far Rockaway Public Library in Queens and the Westchester Branch Library in the Bronx. Internationally, we are also working on the Calgary Public Library and the Ryerson University Student Learning Centre in Canada, as well as the Museo de Ciencias Ambientales, an envionmental science museum in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Lascaux Caves Museum in Lascaux, France, and the Vaven Cultural Centre in Umea, Sweden.

Among its many recognitions, Snøhetta received the World Architecture Award for the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the Aga Kahn Prize for Architecture for Alexandria Library. Since its completion in 2008, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet has also garnered the Mies van der Rohe European Union Prize for Architecture and the EDRA (Environmental Design Research Association) Great Places Award, as well as the European Prize for Urban Public Space, The International Architecture Award and The Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2010.