Mo i Rana Airport

Mo i Rana lies just south of the Arctic Circle, and is the gateway to the northern regions of Norway, offering travellers a first glimpse of the spectacular fjord and mountain landscapes beyond the town.

This new airport will merge three existing airports (Northern Helgeland, Sandnessjøen and Mo i Rana) into a single one to serve the arctic regions, supporting developing businesses and tourism.

The airport will have a large enough runway to accommodate large passenger aircraft flying in from Oslo.

As this is a rare opportunity to design a new airport from scratch, we wanted it to have a strong identity and be unmistakeably of its place. The design is inspired by the distinctive local landscapes, and in particular the icebergs and mountain cliffs.

Our masterplan includes a runway, a new terminal and a service building, with all the necessary accompanying transport infrastructure. The diagram is both a clear and functional, a simple arrangement on two levels that optimises passenger flows and servicing requirements.

The massing is similarly pragmatic, with the orthogonal, flat-roofed structure arranged on a north-south axis.

The façade is environmentally responsive with a series of tessellating triangular panels and solar screens. These articulate the building in the landscape with a playful ‘theatre of light’, helping it to blend into the surrounding mountain cliffs and icebergs.

The façade system also is designed with a long-term view – it will allow for additional volumes to be added on should the airport expand.