Norwegian artist Nikolai Astrup spent his life painting the glacial valleys of Jølster, and this visitor centre and gallery — a competition entry by Toronto-based CORNECELLI and Office In Search Of — takes that landscape as seriously as the art it will shelter. The building tucks mostly below grade, deferring to the historic home and studio uphill while opening onto a terraced plaza and dock along Jølstravatnet lake on the other side. Its concrete walls are cast against live-edge Norway spruce planks scribed board-to-board, a detail that honours local vernacular construction while quietly bracing the structure against avalanche or landslide. The result is a building that feels found rather than placed.
Award of Merit: Concepts
Astruptunet Exhibition Center
A competition entry by Toronto-based CORNECELLI and Office In Search Of takes the landscape as seriously as the art it will shelter.

