Ånderkleiva
Industrial headquarters shaped by the rugged Norwegian coastline

2017–2022

Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture

Introduction

On the island of Andørja, east of Harstad in Troms, Snøhetta has designed a combined headquarters and innovation center for the family business Magne Arvesen & Sønner—a company engaged in fishing and fish farming.

Situated on a challenging, narrow, steep, and north-facing plot of land at Ibestad, the premises stand as a harmonious interplay between nature and modern design.

Technical details

Typologies
Workspace & Production Facility
Status
Completed
Location
Andørja, Norway
Client

M. Arvesen Eiendom as

Entrepreneur

Photos: Sebastian S. Bjerkvik

Interplay with Terrain

Echoing the silhouette of the hillside behind it, the building connects to the upper terrain and extends gracefully over the quay—cantilevered and anchored by a slender concrete footing clad in corten steel.

The ocean-facing façade is wrapped in black glass, segmented by stainless steel fins. These vertical lamellae subtly protrude, amplifying the façade’s reflectivity and introducing depth. They capture and mirror the surrounding landscape, producing a vibrant interplay of color that shifts with light, weather, and season.

Spatial flow and social zones

Inside, the long, narrow building volume unfolds into a linear arrangement of offices and rooms, most with expansive views of the sea. Interior glass partitions and the building’s gentle curvature foster visual connectivity while preserving privacy.

All employees work in private offices, reinforcing focus and quietude. Informal gathering spaces are emphasized—widened corridors outside meeting rooms and a canteen nestled in a sunlit, sheltered corner serve as key social anchors.

The control room is the heart of operations, overseeing life in the fish pens. Here, light and view are carefully orchestrated to support concentration and collaboration.

Materiality and Context

The building’s roof aligns with the road above, making its surface visible from the approach. Along the rear, an external gallery walkway spans the length of the structure, offering direct access to each part of the floor and visually anchoring the building to the mountain behind.

The façade facing this direction is clad in anthracite-colored fiber cement, punctuated by vivid red window frames.

Inside, the stairwell core is cast in raw concrete without surface treatment, giving it a tactile, industrial character. A striking light installation adds a sculptural element to the space. Throughout the main building, the floors are covered with carpet made from recycled fishing nets—an homage to the company’s maritime roots and a commitment to sustainability.

Throughout the building, a red-orange palette creates a cohesive visual identity, referencing the bright buoys of the surrounding waters, represent the company’s connection to the sea.

Access and Structure

The building is accessed from two distinct levels, reflecting both its dual function and the dramatic topography. Office areas are accessed from the road above, leading directly into the fourth floor, while visitors to the learning center Arctic Aqua arrive from the seaside at ground level.

The main construction, engineered by Bollinger Grohman, is a refined steel structure with exposed diagonal trusses integrated into the façade. These elements not only express the building’s structural clarity but also contribute to its visual rhythm and industrial character.

Storage Building on the Dock

Adjacent to the main building, a separate storage and office facility rests directly on the dock. Though heavy in form, it is light in material expression. Clad in thin fiber cement panels, the structure is softened by interior finishes—recycled plastic carpet woven to resemble fishing yarn offers resilience and texture.

The steel framework of the industrial halls features a deep red color, chosen to match the fire-resistant coating required for certain elements. Blue and yellow from the stored gear are mirrored in the office design, creating striking visual contrast.

In the office areas, a perforated metal ceiling enhances acoustics and is finished in a blue-green lacquer that evokes the shifting tones of the ocean. The warm orange-red corten steel outer doors ties back to the palette of the headquarters.