Norway’s indigenous Sámi culture reveres the reindeer antler as a symbol of strength and cultural continuity. Akin to the antler's roots anchored to a reindeer, Čoarvemátta Cultural and Educational Hub is grounded in Sámi tradition, uniting the Sámi National Theatre Beaivváš, a Norwegian theatre using Sámi as its performing language and the state-run Sámi High School and Reindeer Herding School, which provides academic, vocational and traditional knowledge programmes rooted in the Sámi indigenous values. Conceived through the collaborative vision of Norwegian architecture firms Snøhetta and 70°N arkitektur and Sámi artist Joar Nango, the project draws its name from the Sámi words for horn (čoarvi) and root (mátta), symbolising strength and unity. The centre coalesces culture, education and tradition, serving as a public space that pays tribute to the Sámi - semi-nomadic communities native to northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and parts of Russia, which pursue traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding and coastal fishing.

The 7200 square metre building, located in the heart of Norway's largest and northernmost plateau Finnmarksvidda in Kautokeino, reconciles with the surrounding landscape by mimicking its natural contours and soft forms. The low-lying structure mirrors the rolling hills, embracing the surrounding terrain rather than disrupting it. Čoarvemátta's fluid form is purposefully designed to minimise its visual impact, melding into the environment with its sloping rooflines and branching layout. “We wanted the building to be as close to nature as possible,” says Bård Vaag Stangnes, senior architect and project lead from Snøhetta, in an official statement. “Natural materials such as wood and stone are used, the building follows shapes in the terrain and the roof is pulled down to the ground to meet the landscape,” he continues.

Landscape design in the Sámi culture erases boundaries between the built environment and nature. Building upon this ethos, this piece of cultural architecture forms three outdoor spaces merging into the landscape. The southern forecourt, featuring a fire pit (arrán), sitting stones and an amphitheatre, caters to both school and theatre activities. To the north, expansive areas are reserved for reindeer fences, linked directly to the herding department, while an outdoor space is designated for the school’s construction classes, offering both visual and wind protection through the building's strategic orientation and dynamic form. On the eastern side, the building integrates with the plateau, ensuring minimal disturbance to the surroundings.

“The shape of the building springs from the idea of creating a unified volume for the theatre and the school and of gathering the functions around a connection point, the meeting place,” Stangnes shares. Planned around a central vestibule, the structure extends into three distinct wings, each dedicated to the theatre, school and faculty, tying the diverse functions. Curved roof lines, a smoke hole-shaped skylight in the vestibule and a visible glulam wooden framework in the centre’s architecture connect strongly to the image of a lávvu, the traditional tents of Sámis.

The design team opted for an open vestibule with large glass panels to offer views of the surrounding landscape and to create a communal hub well-suited to host activities such as Sámi handicrafts (duodji), cooking and theatre performances. The extensive steps of the amphitheatre nestled within the vestibule function as a key gathering space for students and theatre audiences, encouraging interaction and establishing a clear visual link to the second floor.

The wooden drapery characterising the building’s exterior reflects a careful consideration of local materials, with the façade cladded in ore pine, weathering naturally over time and the geometric roofing crafted from 34,000 metres of durable Kebony wood. The theatre’s gable wall is adorned with versatile grey Alta slate, a symbolic nod to the village’s history, as the stone was repurposed from Kautokeino’s old primary school. Inside, locally sourced stone, including slate and masi quartzite, is incorporated into the polished concrete floors, an intervention that evokes the natural terrain surrounding the building, in subtle shades of grey and green. The upper floor is finished with linoleum, while the walls are enhanced with wooden slats and smooth-edged wood panelling, complemented by fixtures made from pine and ash veneer. This thoughtful integration of materials reinforces a strong sense of place and continuity within the architecture.

The cultural and educational building is imbued with a striking colour palette transitioning from the warm reds of the foyer, vestibule and theatre halls, to cool, bluish tones in the building’s educational wings, sporting a gradual shift in the ambience — from lively central areas to quieter, more reflective spaces. Drawing from the Sámi notion of colours, which often feature vibrant reds, blues and earthy tones, the varied hues of doors, walls and floors within the heated zones stand in stark contrast to the predominantly white façade that defines the building throughout the year.

The cultural centre is more than just a physical space; it is a symbolic reclamation of Sámi heritage, identity and culture. With a commitment to sustainability, the wooden architecture incorporates energy-efficient geowells for heating and cooling and sets ambitious environmental goals, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30 per cent over its lifecycle. At the same time, its form and materiality remain deeply rooted in traditional Sámi building practices, fostering continuity between past traditions and future aspirations.

“Čoarvemátta Cultural and Educational Hub is a result of many small connotations of Sámi architecture instead of one grand narrative of symbolic use,” Norwegian artist and architect Joar Nango tells STIR. In a recent interview documenting his journey, the Áltá-born and Tromsø-based creative discussed the intertwining of his Sámi identity with art and architecture. The conversation explored the significance of nomadism in his practice, unpacked the Western misrepresentations of Sámi culture, and discovered why escaping categorisation in work keeps him sane.

Project Details

Name: Čoarvemátta Cultural and Educational Hub
Location: Kautokeino/Guovdageaidnu, Norway
Client: Statsbygg, The Norwegian Governmental Building Agency
Architect: Snøhetta
Entrepreneur: Econor
Collaborating partner, architect: 70°N arkitektur
Collaborating partner, architect/artist: Joar Nango
Art acquisition: KORO
Art Curator: Monica Milch Gebhardt
Area: 7200 sqm
Year of Completion: 2024