Normannsløkka (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation )

Project description

Media production and the public's use of media have changed radically since NRK established itself over 80 years ago. This has created new requirements for the physical framework of NRK's operations. The new headquarters at Normannsløkka in the east of Oslo must be space-efficient, flexible, and able to accommodate future changes in needs. At the same time, the headquarters should be perceived as open and inviting by both employees, visitors, and neighbours.  

News and debates, studio recordings with an audience, and concerts with the Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra are some of the activities that will bring new energy to the area. Many people will be using the building. In addition to employees at NRK there will be a steady flow of collaborators, guests, and participants in NRK's productions. 

Extensive public participation processes have been carried out, including a large survey among residents in the local area, focus interviews with stakeholders in the neighbourhood and workshops with local politicians and municipal administration. Together with Rodeo and Nordic, meetings with other groups and people with an interest in the project have also taken place. 

Last winter, NRK chose a concept for its new headquarters. High-rise buildings and atrium designs were discarded in favour of a "Concentrated" concept, where the principle is to extend arms from a central core. In addition to exploring various possible volumes and experiential qualities of the site, the project has mapped several sustainability-related elements such as existing vegetation, material resources, and mobility solutions, aiming to meet the high standards of FutureBuilt's criteria.  

The new headquarters aims to be durable and dignified, and this influences both the choice of building materials, the size of the building and its technical systems. The goal is to halve the carbon footprint by 2030 compared to 2019. 

A key reason for selecting the site at Normannsløkka was that it met the ambitions for green transportation, with the metro, train, and buses nearby. There will also be excellent facilities for cycling, and no private parking spaces. 

In April 2025 a team consisting of Nordic and Rodeo architects won the competition to design the new headquarters. Their winning proposal, entitled “Sirkulær” (“Circular”), was characterized as “good, robust, open and inviting” by Vibeke Fürst Haugen, NRK’s CEO. Following disclosure period, NRK can sign a contract with the winning architects to collaborate on further developing and realizing the project.

Translated with the help of Chat GPT.