Oslo Architecture Triennale 2026 Asks: What If Nature Came First?
The ninth Oslo Architecture Triennale took place from September 17 to October 1, 2026, at Sofienberg Church in Grünerløkka, Oslo, under the theme 'What if nature came first?' Curated by Line Ramstad, the event showcased 36 international projects, alongside discussions and workshops focused on the circular economy in architecture. On the opening day, Jonathan Grinham from Harvard discussed natural polymers, while Sian Ricketts presented a low-carbon brick. Architect Amin Taha and engineer Steve Webb introduced Petra Hights, a ten-story residential tower in London. The triennale underscored the construction sector's substantial waste and carbon emissions. Earth Overshoot Day 2026 fell on July 30. The venue is set to transform into a community center, aligning with Oslo's urban renewal initiatives.
Key facts
- The ninth Oslo Architecture Triennale took place from September 17 to October 1, 2026, at Sofienberg Church in Oslo.
- The theme was 'What if nature came first?' and the director was Line Ramstad.
- The triennale featured three dozen international projects, talks, and workshops on circular economy in architecture.
- Jonathan Grinham of Harvard Graduate School of Design discussed natural polymers; Sian Ricketts of Carmody Groarke presented a low-carbon brick for the Design Museum Ghent.
- Amin Taha (Groupwork) and Steve Webb (Webb Yates) presented Petra Hights, the first tall building with a stone exoskeleton, a ten-story tower in London.
- The construction industry produces one-third of global waste and is a major carbon emitter; building lifespans are 50-60 years.
- Earth Overshoot Day 2026 was on July 30.
- The triennale cited Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss: 'Everything has intrinsic value regardless of its utility to humans.'
Entities
Artists
- Line Ramstad
- Jonathan Grinham
- Sian Ricketts
- Amin Taha
- Steve Webb
- Anne Cecilie Haug
- Øystein Rø
- Christian Norberg-Schulz
- Arne Næss
- Gitta Saetre
- Galena Sardemova
- Paris Bezanis
- Ask Holmen
- Martin Hopland
- Jens Hansen
- Nora Ulrikke Andersen
- Ingrid Haga
- Herbert Wright
- Eduardo Souza
- Julie Hrncinova
- Leonard Palmer
- Magnus Widerøe
- Matthew Dylan Anderson
- Sophie Coqui
- Luisa Zwetkow
- Sigrid Legernes Teigen
- Greta Gleisner Birkeland
Institutions
- Oslo Architecture Triennale
- Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Carmody Groarke
- Groupwork
- Webb Yates
- Snøhetta
- Estudio Herreros
- Transborder Studio
- Oslo Badstuforening
- Design Museum Ghent
- Munch Museum
- Oslo Public Library
- Oslo Opera House
- Sofienberg Church
- La Tempestad
- Embassy of Norway in Mexico
- Harvard University
- Grinham Research Group
- HouseEurope!
- Pihlmann Architects
- Architects Without Borders (AUG)
- Wallpaper*
- C3
- Chroniques d'architecture
- The Other Site
- ArchDaily
- Abrakadabra
- OAT26
- Arkitekt Martin Hopland
- Studio Wideroe
- Oslo School of Architecture and Design
- UCLouvain-Loci
- Studio Dreist
- Dezeen
- Gyaw Gyaw
Locations
- Oslo
- Norway
- Bjørvika
- Grünerløkka
- Sofienberg
- Akershus Fortress
- London
- United Kingdom
- Ghent
- Belgium
- Mexico
- Sukkerbiten
- Vertikal Nydalen
- Petra Hights
- Grünelokka
- Copenhagen
- Denmark
- Black Sea
- Larvik
- Vienna
- Austria
- Sofienberg Church
- Myanmar
- Thailand