Norges Bank, Norway's central bank, has its headquarters on Bankplassen in Kvadraturen. The striking modern building was designed by architects Kjell Lund and Nils Slaatto, who won an open competition in 1973. It was completed in 1986 and covers roughly 60,000 square metres across seven storeys. The façade is clad in pink Røyken granite, copper and glass, and the whole design follows a strict 90 × 90 cm modular grid — a hallmark of the structuralist style that runs through the interior and even into the paving of the square outside.
The bank manages the Government Pension Fund Global, commonly known as the Oil Fund — one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, built from Norway's petroleum revenues. Bankplassen itself is one of Oslo's oldest squares. The original 1830 bank building, designed by Christian Heinrich Grosch, still stands next door and is now part of the National Museum. You cannot enter Norges Bank, but the architecture and the square are worth a look when walking through Kvadraturen.
The bank manages the Government Pension Fund Global, commonly known as the Oil Fund — one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, built from Norway's petroleum revenues. Bankplassen itself is one of Oslo's oldest squares. The original 1830 bank building, designed by Christian Heinrich Grosch, still stands next door and is now part of the National Museum. You cannot enter Norges Bank, but the architecture and the square are worth a look when walking through Kvadraturen.
