The Thiis-building, located at Haakon VIIs gate 1, in Oslo, is an office building constructed between 1957 and 1959, designed by the Norwegian architect Jarle Berg. The building was part of a broader urban renewal project in Vestre Vika, and stands as an early example of post-war office architecture in Oslo. Its design follows the principles of brutalist architecture, characterized by exposed structural elements, material honesty, and a function-driven form.

Material Use and Design

The façade combines exposed concrete and Larvikite, with strong horizontal lines and a pronounced base. The Larvikite, of the type Lundhs Emerald®, is distinguished by its deep color and iridescent feldspar crystals, reinforcing the building’s sense of mass and solidity. Relief artworks integrated into the façade were created by the Norwegian sculptor Ørnulf Bast, using the same materials as the surrounding structure—consistent with brutalism’s emphasis on material integration and architectural coherence.

Original and New Structure

Initially constructed with eight full floors and a recessed ninth, the building originally housed the Thiis & Co. store on the ground floor, with the top floor serving as a venue for the Shipping Club. Prominent shipping companies, including I. M. Skaugen and Ditlev-Simonsen, operated from offices within the building.

In 2013–2014, the original top floor was replaced with two new floors, designed by Hille Melbye Arkitekter. The addition maintained the building’s architectural language and materials, including larvikite, ensuring visual and structural continuity with the original design.

Interior and Artistic Stonework

The entrance area of the Thiis-building is adorned with large-scale reliefs in solid Lundhs Emerald®, also created by Ørnulf Bast. This series illustrates the historical development of Kristiania and forms an integral part of the architectural composition. The reception and elevator lobby areas are also clad in waterjet-cut stone panels of the same material, providing a consistent design expression between exterior and interior. The deep tone and precise finishing of the stone enhance the monumentality of the space and reinforce the building’s brutalist language within the interior environment.

Preservation and Current Use

The Thiis-building was listed on the Oslo Cultural Heritage Management’s Yellow List in 2008, in recognition of its historical and architectural value. Today, the building is home to a range of office tenants, including the Embassy of Ireland. The ground floor is used for retail purposes. The building remains a clear example of Norwegian brutalism, where function, materiality, and structural logic form the basis of its architectural identity.