Architects: Aviaplan AS, Niels Torp Atkitekter, Narud-Stokke Arkitekter & Planleggere, Skaarup & Jespersen Arkitekter
Structural engineers: Hjellnes Cowi in colloboration with Astrup & Hellern, Calvert & Clark and Bjorkbekk & Lindheim
Completed: 1998
Area: 175,000m²   



Glulam suppliers: Moelven Limtre AS  

After many years of planning and preparations, the new airport Gardermoen, 47 km north of the city of Oslo was opened in 1998 -  the only major airport, to our knowledge, with a wooden structure - a calm and relaxed environment in the otherwise busy world of air travel.

The visual concept of the main hall is a huge aircraft wing - covering a surface of 136m x 180m, or 24,500m².

The first priority for designers was that visitors from abroad should be clear about the capability of Norwegian technology and ecological values, and should see materials and construction techniques that represented Norwegian skills and materials -  wood and stone were the preferred choices.

The wooden roof consists of a curved truss built with mem.bers of glue-laminated white pine. The overall length of the trusses is 136 metres resting on three concrete columns.

The free span is maximum 54 metres. The trusses, covered with 9mm birch plywood, are located in pairs. The paired trusses are connected to each other by steel struts transferring the vertical loads from the wooden trusses to the concrete columns.

The visible lower solid glulam member is shaped in order to avoid the square looks of ordinary glue laminated timber - the image is more like an aircraft wing with rounded corners.

There is visible wood throughout the building: much of the floors is made of oak and ash. For doors, pine was used and several walls are clad with alder. For desks glue laminated cherry was used.

Wood used internally has been treated with fire retardant chemicals to pass the severe fire tests of the planning authorities.