The Heritage Centre for Urnes Slave Church responds to the brief and the context at multiple levels, creating a rich architectural narrative. The design takes the advantage of the site contour and its unique location that is wedged between two roads, to distribute the program efficiently across 3 levels. The Design celebrates the Nordic Vernacular and its rich craft with timber.

The tectonics and the architectural character are derived from the typology of timber structures of the region, ensuring a design that does not stand out, as directed by the brief. At the same time, it doesn’t result in a simplistic translation of the vernacular, opting for a more abstracted roof profile, which reflects the terrain of the hill as well to take advantage of the stunning view of the Fjord from different levels on the site. The partially submerged building, result in a much subdued mass in the landscape, and the dark grey stained wood cladding for the envelope, give an added visual link to the historic structure.

The entire program has been distributed at 3 levels, with the Tourist entry located on the east at the higher elevation of the site, and entry to activity & movie rooms are located on the west, at the lower elevation. The restaurant and outdoor cafe are strategically located and could be accessed directly from the outside by both public and tourists. The restaurant is also accessible from the main reception lobby / lounge.

1. Entrance 2. Parking space 3. Bicycle parking 4. Drop off point 5. Entrance lobby 6. Restaurant 7. Outdoor seating 8. The kitchen 9. Shop for local ingredients 10. Skylight 11. Cutout 12. Clerstory windows 13. HC toilet 14. Service entrance 15. Reception 16. Ticket counter 17. Wardrobe 18. Male Toilet 19. Female Toilet 20. Cutout 21. Cold storage 22. Ramp to museum 23. Good Storage 24. Work station 25. Conference 26. Manager 27. Meeting room 28. Storage 29. Pantry 30. Toilet 31. Museum shop 32. Exhibition warehouse 33. Norwegian Heritage Exhibition 34. Urne's staff exhibition 35. Technical room 36. Area of ​​activity 37. Film room