FREE SPIRITS

Refusing to be pigeon-holed gives you an exhilarating range of work, says Oslo’s Ole Wiig

In the internationalist world of architecture, does it matter where you are based any more? What are the peculiarities of architecture in the UK, Iraq or India, as seen from Oslo? Or do Ofoten in the arctic north and Oman in the desert pose the same challenges and problems?

Jørn Narud, Gudmund Stokke and I founded the Norwegian architecture firm Narud Stokke Wiig (NSW) 30 years ago. We met as students at Manchester University and we and the other partners have since studied, worked and taught in the Baltic, England, Hong Kong, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Oman, Qatar, and the USA. Now we are one of the leading firms of architecture in Scandinavia, with an international outlook reflected through 100 employees from 20 different countries.

Taking the wide view
From the outset we had no wish to be specialists, but rather generalists who specialise in problem-solving. We are deeply involved in architecture as a subject, participating in competitions and always ready to join the general public debate.

We believe architecture is important to a holistic view of society, and that it is a major element in our culture and environment. It does not exist in isolation. Consequently, we search for the individual solution to every project. At a time of fascination with all things global, an architectural reference point which preserves and furthers the identity of towns and local communities is essential.

Our approach to all our projects is based on gaining a full understanding of the building brief and offering overall clarity of plan and design, with architectural concepts forming the basis of the solution. But while we believe in the importance of the concept, this must be balanced with an understanding of the context, as set by the topography and the climate.

Our designs are intended to create a dialogue with their place and their natural environment – a poetic interaction. And while our individual buildings and building shells are intended to be seen as a whole rather than separately, with their positioning in relation to each other carefully considered, we also make sure we keep in mind the need to create reciprocal shelter and privacy.

We are interested in a wide spectrum of architectural challenges: big and small, simple and complex. These range from restoration to new buildings, from interiors to product design, from new urban spaces to bridges and urban masterplans. It is just as engaging to create new life in high-quality older buildings – like the Norwegian Royal Palace –  as it is to design new ones. Many of our projects also explore the transition between old and new and the tension this throws up.

Our work includes airports and campuses, ecological villages and city repair. We are also intrigued by the challenges of introducing new dimensions to city planning by stratifying, ie by creating a new layer in the urban structures often as a contrast to the established structure of the district or block as a type of double weft.

However, the greatest part of NSW’s work is buildings, both large and small. Our reluctance to specialise means we are always open to new types of assignment, while at the same time successful schemes have led to new commissions such as universities and other public buildings, hotels and hospitals.
Once a concept has found its shape and the solution has been established, the project development begins with great emphasis on detail up to the execution phase. The combination of experienced and knowledgeable architects with young and inquiring minds presents the best professional challenges internally. We always seek the greatest talents, regardless of nationality, role, gender and professional background, and value employees who are open, outgoing and receptive to external influences.

More than money
It would be foolish to claim that foreign commissions do not involve greater challenges than home-based work, for example obtaining a reasonable fee in relation to hours spent on any given job. But although the remuneration is limited, there are other rewards, such as the pleasure of collaborating with people from a different culture and background, and some international acclaim. It is also easier to handle disappointments, such as the never-realised Scottish Architecture & Design Centre block in Edinburgh, when we beat ‘the world’ in competition.

International work also enables us to further develop our language skills, interests and international attitudes. And alliances with architects’ offices abroad through work-sharing bring significant professional rewards, although this requires patience – it is built on experience and doesn’t happen overnight. We have never focused on any particular market or country, but meet the challenges wherever they are. We have also found it easier to develop local centres of competence than to export our general competence.

Our motto is ‘Create good architecture, make money and have fun!’, and this has been with us every step of the way. Our professional commitment presents many everyday challenges and makes our days exhilarating. Good financial frameworks are also vital to enable us to produce good architecture, to run a long-term practice, and to safeguard the welfare of our employees. A sound basis ensures more lasting operations.

Ole Wiig is founding partner and architectural and managing director at NSW: www.nsw.no