Norway's winter games

With Scandinavian influence at the heart of the design, and use of Norwegian woods and materials throughout the museum, the exhibition reflects Norway’s beautiful landscape. The main space features a ski-jump installation inspired by the Lysgårdsbakken arena in Lillehammer, with aurora borealis lighting surrounding the installation to emphasise the Nordic phenomenon. The changing lights and colours bring a lively atmosphere to the museum. The exhibition also incorporates audio-visual installations and touch-screen elements that showcase the Olympic timeline of host cities for both the summer and winter games, accompanied by sections on Norway’s triumphant involvement in the winter games. Additionally, there are interactive exhibitions for visitors to control skiers and try their hand at rifle firing.  

Chris Mather, managing director at Mather & Co., says, “With a strong portfolio of similar projects, Mather & Co. is familiar with telling the Olympic story, especially after our work on the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. We’re confident we’ll convey the strong ties this country has to the Olympic Games. This will be our first development in Scandinavia and we’re extremely excited to be working there.”

The launch on 12 February this year coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the 1994 Winter Olympics held in Lillehammer. The museum was officially opened by Queen Sonja of Norway at a VIP event attended by the Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and current and former International Olympic Committee presidents Thomas Bach and Jacques Rogge, among other guests.