Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Oslo

Along with Wimbledon and the Wembley Arena, the Holmenkollen Ski Jump is the world’s most visited sports facility. In September 2005, the International Ski Federation decided that the current hill did not meet the standards and in 2007 we won the open international architecture competition to renew the facility. Rather than having a series of dispersed pavillons on site, the design unifies the various amenities into one holistic diagram. The booths, the wind screens, the lobby, the lounge for the skiers, the souvenir shop, the access to the existing museum — everything is contained into the shape of the jump. The simplicity of the solution improves the experience of the spectators and brings clear focus to the skiers. Its 69 meters cantilever makes it the longest of its kind. Paradoxically, the cantilever was the only way to lighten the beam structure and meet the budget requirements, while minimizing tremendously the environmental impact of the project onto its site. Atop is a platform where visitors can take in views of Oslo, the fjord and the region beyond, thus inverting the concept of the icon: the surroundings become the manifest.