Oslo Opera House

The Oslo Opera House (Norwegian: Operahuset) is the home of opera and ballet in the Bjørvika district, in the centre of Norway's capital, right on the Oslofjord. The building opened in April 2008 and quickly became one of the most photographed places in the city. It was designed by the architecture studio Snøhetta and is owned by the Norwegian state.

What makes the building stand out?

Its signature feature is a sloping white roof that, from a distance, looks like a sheet of ice rising out of the fjord. The roof descends gently to the water's edge, so visitors can simply walk up onto it. The area open to the public, often called the "carpet", covers roughly 18,000 square metres. It is clad in Italian La Facciata marble, chosen through an international tender. The stone keeps its pale colour and shine even when wet, which matters in Norwegian weather.

Do you need a ticket to walk on the roof?

No performance ticket is required. The roof works as a public square and viewpoint, with views over the harbour, the fjord and the city centre. In the first three months after opening, more than 300,000 people used the space around the building, which suggests the architects' idea of opening culture up to everyday strolling worked.

Who designed it?

The architecture is by Snøhetta, a Norwegian studio whose figures include Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, Tarald Lundevall and Craig Dykers. Reinertsen Engineering handled the structure, Arup Acoustics and Brekke & Strand Akustikk worked on the acoustics, and Veidekke was the builder. Sources give differing costs, around half a billion euros. It is the largest cultural institution built in Norway in modern times.

Awards

In 2009 the building won the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, the Mies van der Rohe Award. Five finalists were chosen from 340 nominated projects across Europe, and the Oslo opera came out on top. The prize was worth 60,000 euros and is awarded every two years.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Oslo Opera House? In Bjørvika, in the city centre, directly on the Oslofjord. It sits in an area of modern waterfront development near the central station.

Can you walk on the roof? Yes. The roof is open to everyone and was designed for walking. Take care when the marble is wet or icy.

Who designed the opera house? Snøhetta, the studio that won the competition for the national opera and ballet house.

Is it only for people attending performances? No. Besides hosting opera and ballet, it is a place where locals and visitors meet, relax and enjoy the view across the fjord.

When is the best time to visit? The roof is appealing all year, especially in fair weather when you can see the bay and city skyline, and around sunset.