Norwegian Mountaineering Center
See the full Unusual buildings of the week list here.
Completed in September 2016, the Norwegian Mountaineering Center is intended to provide a gathering place for local and visiting mountaineers. Located on the edge of a harbour in Andalsnes, the building resembles a snow-covered mountain peak. It was designed by the Oslo-based Reiulf Ramstad studio.
The jagged form comprises a tall, angular volume covered in grey, brown and white shingles. The building contains an indoor climbing wall and bouldering room, while a lower mono-pitched form houses changing rooms, a café, library and offices.
The studio said: "The Norwegian Mountaineering Center is anchored in an innovative interpretation of nature's fantastic dimensions and the dramatic experience of mountaineering. This provides the structure with a characteristic volume, communicating its contents with exciting and unique geometrical expression."
The has created a new landmark for the town centre.
Images copyright Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter, Søren Harder Jensen
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report lead by Dame Hackitt with full recomendations and link to the government response.
Guide to ISO 19650 for Architecture Firms (2026)
A user gives their low down.
A UK training and membership provider for mould remediation professionals.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
Independent NSI and BAFE study exploring how organisations are changing the way they buy fire safety services.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.
Setting Expectations on Competence Management
Industry Competence Committee.
New Scottish and Welsh governments
CIOB stresses importance of construction after new parliament elections.
The sad story of Derby Hippodrome
An historic building left to decay.
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.