NIO House central Oslo, Norway commercial property, New Norwegian hotel urban design photos
NIO House in central Oslo, Norway
3 September 2024
Design: SHL Architects
Location: Karl Johans gt. 33, 0162 Oslo, Norway
Photos by Even Mellum
NIO House, central Oslo, Norway Property
Designed by SHL Architects, a Danish architecture studio driven by responsibility towards our planet, NIO House Oslo captures the unique interplay between mountains and sea reflected in the surrounding Fjords. At the same time, its design embodies NIO’s Design DNA—a blend of purity, human-centricity, sophistication, and progress.
This combination is captured in a carefully curated material palette, including panels of ash wood which is sustainably sourced from Europe and treated with an organic and non-toxic fire proofing, and terrazzo floors. The ash tree plays an important role as the ‘tree of life’ in Norse mythology, where it is known as Yggdrasil. Natural tones and locally sourced materials dominate the design with terrazzo made from Norwegian stones, reclaimed Norway Spruce and rough basalt among other materials.
The terrazzo floorings are made of Fauske marble from the Norwegian region of Nordland. The granite used for the lounge tables was sourced as whole, raw blocks from the quarry at Åland, Sweden. They were left largely untouched and now add a naturally dense and tactile presence to the space. Karuun was used for the furniture, a premium, wood-like veneer.
Karuun is a palm named after the Indo-Malay expression harta karun, meaning hidden treasure. As a raw material, it can only be grown in biodiverse, healthy rainforests and NIO collaborated to scale the manufacturing process sustainably. Using an energy-efficient process, the natural material is transformed into a flexible, durable product, which is also used in the NIO ET7 interior.
Sophisticated light treatment of the walls and floors of NIO House Oslo helps to create distinct atmospheres, organizing the space into two distinct floors:
On the ground floor, a welcoming feeling was created by opening up the facade with large windows to establish a connection between inside and outside. This floor serves as a vibrant gateway to the NIO experience, welcoming the public into a vehicle gallery that showcases the latest in electric mobility and technological innovation. Adjacent to this is the NIO Cafe.
Directly accessible through one of the entrances, this serves as a cozy retreat where visitors can indulge in local delights and immerse themselves in the NIO lifestyle while feeling part of the community. The NIO Life area complements this, offering interactive displays and immersive experiences that highlight NIO’s commitment to sustainable urban living.
In addition, the basement level of NIO House Oslo was transformed into a sanctuary of comfort and functionality. Here, meticulously designed meeting rooms are equipped with a full back-lit ceiling and wood-panelled walls which allow for noise absorption, making them more comfortable for longer periods of time while providing space for collaborative discussions.
The nearby Children’s Hub invites creativity and learning. A flexible activity room adapts to various community events, such as Yoga and Pilates sessions, or larger workshops. This is complemented by a library corner where guests can unwind with a good book beside a crackling fireplace.
This fireplace is centrally placed to anchor the space with a sleek chimney that hangs from the back-lit ceiling. It allows visitors to gather in a circle around it, adding a cozy yet contemporary focal point. The furniture surrounding it consists of modular, low-profile seating in soft grey upholstery, adding to the feeling of cohesion and comfort. This floor is intentionally crafted to evoke a sense of warmth and belonging, reinforcing NIO’s dedication to creating spaces that feel like home.
The centerpiece of the NIO House is the large central auditorium, which not only facilitates gatherings and presentations but also symbolizes NIO’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. It was a programmatic choice to dedicate a significant percentage of NIO House Oslo to an auditorium for community talks and presentations, and opt for a smaller car showroom.
The auditorium connects the different levels of the NIO House, embodying an overall design philosophy that encourages interaction and dialogue. Sustainability presentations, seed talks, and innovation forums find a fitting home here, underscoring NIO’s role as a catalyst for meaningful conversations and progressive ideas.
NIO House Oslo in Norway – Building Information
Architecture: Office Name: Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL) – https://www.shl.dk/work/
Project Name: NIO House Oslo
Client: NIO
Office Website:
Contact email: info@shl.dk
Firm Location: Njalsgade 17A, Pakhus 2; 2300 Copenhagen S; Denmark
Completion Date: 01.10.2021
Gross Built Area: 2150 sqm
Project Location: Karl Johans gt. 33, 0162 Oslo, Norway
Program / Use / Building Function: Showroom, Café, Community Space, Library, Meeting Facilities
Consultants: Fokus Rådgivning (project management)
Photography: Even Mellum
NIO House, central Oslo, Norway images/information received 030924
Location: Karl Johans gt. 33, 0162 Oslo, Norway, northern Europe
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