Connecting past and future
The building, in form and function, expresses the evolution from the original workshop town to the modern and urban industrial area that is emerging in this part of the city. The new building descends toward a residential area on one side and rises toward the mountain, culminating as a beacon facing the sea. This movement is connected to a green axis running through the building, providing access to attractive rooftop gathering spaces. Large parts of the roof are accessible to users and visitors, offering opportunities for activities, meeting places, and exhibitions. Additionally, there are plans for significant cultural events for the entire region, including concerts in the school's concert hall, dance performances or dance studio lessons, indoor bandy tournaments in the sports hall, and painting classes on the rooftop with a view of the fjord.

Harstad Harbour Park: A new meeting place between the city and the water

Local nature and character are central to the design of the school's outdoor areas. The new street areas, squares, plazas, and parks are adapted to the raw aesthetics of the harbour environment and the vibrant natural diversity of the coast. In the midst of the buildings and the water's edge lies Harstad's newest addition: Harbor Park.
"Harbour Park will become Harstad's new maritime nature park, where the city meets the water in a lush and natural landscape. Here, there will be opportunities for play and relaxation - and for taking a dip in the sea followed by a sauna session," said E.C. Forfang from SLA. The park is also designed with nature-based solutions for managing rainwater and tides, including a 'tide zone' that can be flooded.

Aiming to be a zero-emissions building

"The new school in Harstad aspires to become an energy-plus building certified according to the BREEAM NOR 'Very Good' standard, producing its own energy through solar panels on both the roof and facade, as well as using low carbon footprint materials," said team leader Ferry Smits from Rambøll.

*The wildcard system allows young architects to participate in competitions in Norway by collaborating with more experienced architects, continuously inviting new talents into Norwegian competitions.

Facts - New school in Harstad

Client: Troms and Finnmark County Municipality
Competition: 1st prize in the planning and design competition 2023
Location: Harstad, Norway
Architects: Ola Roald Arkitektur in collaboration with C.F. Møller Architects
Size: Approximately 20,000 sqm / approximately 1,100 students (+ possible expansion of 10,000 sqm)
Engineer: Rambøll
Landscape: SLA
Wildcard Participant: MakersHub

High-res images