The Sami Parliament of Norway is an aboriginal Parliament that deals with all matters concerning the Sami people. The Sami are an indigenous people that have lived in their settlements long before the national borders were established. Since 1989, the Sami people of Norway have been able to elect representatives to a Parliament focused on Sami issues and representing the Sami people living in Norway.
The beautiful Parliament building in Karasjok, designed by Stein Halvorsen Arkitekter, is situated among rough nature surrounded by forest, and is located as far north in Norway as you can get.
The building is covered with irregularly arranged Siberian larch, which makes it similar to traditional buildings in the region. In the hall, the glass placed at the top brings nature and northern light into the interior. The symbolic "tower" is made of glued laminated timber. The new office wing is connected by a glass bridge.
High levels of natural daylight inside the building are provided by Pilkington Suncool™ 66/33 high performance solar control glass, which at the same time protects interiors from excessive overheating. Thanks to the low-emissivity properties, the glass used in insulating glass units allows for high thermal insulation.
The building of the Sami Parliament has received two of Norway's most important architectural prizes and honourable mentions in the Architectural Review, Deutsche Bauzeitchrift and Wallpaper.
Photography: © Jiri Havran