What happened to the Vikings - Viking Burial Mound

Cracow Technical University (Politechnika Krakowska), Kraków

Project idea

The main idea behind the design of the Nordic Museum was to create a space that fosters close encounters between residents, visitors, and the region’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. Located near the ferry terminal, the building serves as a gateway and symbolic landmark, preserving and presenting the history of the area.

The museum is situated close to a historic Viking burial mound—a tumulus believed to be the grave of a king or noble leader, evidenced by the remains of a ship discovered within. This context strongly influenced the architectural narrative. The building is partially constructed in timber, reflecting both current trends in sustainable architecture and the traditional building methods of the local area of Leka.
The massing of the building responds directly to the irregular terrain, resulting in a harmonious form that integrates seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The above-ground portion consists of two elongated rectangular volumes, placed parallel but offset from one another, creating a dynamic yet cohesive composition.

Project description

The building is functionally divided into four main zones:
Public Zone – Including the entrance hall, multipurpose room, terrace, café, restrooms, and a foyer with a ticket counter and gift shop.
Exhibition Zone – Comprising the main exhibition hall and a green courtyard (patio) located in the center of the underground level.
Technical and Storage Zone – Positioned in the northwest corner, this area houses the back-of-house facilities, café storage, and storage rooms for museum exhibits, along with technical spaces.
Administrative Zone – Located on the underground level, this area features an open-plan office, a dedicated break room, and a conference room.

The four-sloped roof is cut and topped with skylights that illuminate the entrance hall and the main exhibition space. Its shape evokes the surrounding mountainous landscape, helping the building visually merge with its environment. One part of the structure extends into the bay, establishing a direct connection with the natural setting and creating a terrace that serves both as a recreational space and a scenic viewpoint.

The central section, housing the main entrance and lobby, features full-height glazing on both sides, visually and spatially blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. Timber is the primary material used throughout. The façades are composed of vertical wooden boards set at 150 cm intervals, interspersed with generous glazing. This rhythm not only enhances the tectonic quality of the façade but also supports passive climate control by reducing overheating. The roof is clad in traditional wooden shingles, referencing local architectural heritage.

Technical information

The building’s structure is based on CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) technology, a modern, sustainable alternative to traditional masonry or reinforced concrete construction. CLT is an eco-friendly, renewable material characterized by high structural strength as well as excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties.

The load-bearing walls and floors are designed using CLT panels of appropriate thickness to ensure the overall stiffness of the structure. Thanks to the prefabrication of structural elements, precise assembly on site is possible, significantly reducing construction time. Using wood as the main building material also helps to reduce CO₂ emissions and minimize the building’s carbon footprint.

The CLT structural elements are partially exposed in the interior spaces, highlighting their natural character and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for users. These visible wooden surfaces not only serve an aesthetic function but also reinforce the identity of the place, referencing the local Nordic building traditions.

The chosen construction system allows great spatial flexibility—large spans between load-bearing walls enable free interior layout, which is especially important in exhibition and multifunctional areas. Due to the lightness of the material, part of the building volume can be cantilevered over the bay without the need for massive foundations.

Technical solutions regarding the structure were planned with local climatic conditions in mind. The insulation properties of the CLT panels are supplemented by additional insulation layers and a ventilated façade, ensuring optimal comfort for occupants throughout the year.