Svalbard, Norway is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean north of mainland Europe, about midway between Norway and the North Pole. This archipelago is the northernmost part of Norway. Three of its islands are populated: Spitsbergen, Bear Island and Hopen. The largest settlement is in Longyearbyen.

This project is an addition to an existing university and research facility, which get extended approximately  four times their original size. The project, which was commissioned through an invited competition, also provides new facilities for the Svalbard Museum. The project became the largest building in Longyearbyen and Spitzbergen.