From 17 to 19 September 2026, the Flanders Architecture Institute organised a study trip to Oslo. The occasion was the Oslo Architecture Triennale. Together with our partners and a select group of architects, we visited the triennial and five projects, all of which had ‘adaptive re-use’ as their common theme. With the support of the Flemish representation in the Nordic Countries, an exchange of knowledge also took place between the Flemish Government Architect, Veronique Claessens, and various city architects from Norway.
The reason for travelling to Norway this year was the Oslo Architecture Triennale, which opened its doors that very weekend. The main theme of this edition is ‘What if Nature Comes First?’. Together with a group of twenty Belgian architects and partners, we visited the main exhibition and, guided by local architects, gained an insight into a number of interesting urban development and architectural projects.
During a three-day programme, a group of around twenty participants visited the main exhibition of the Oslo Architecture Triennale. We were also given a unique insight into five projects, each of which explores ‘adaptive re-use’ in architecture in its own way.
In addition to the partner visit, the Flanders Architecture Institute and the Flemish representative in the Nordic countries organised a meeting and a knowledge-sharing session between the Flemish Government Architect, Veronique Claessens, and a number of city architects from Norway. During a presentation, the Veronique Claessens briefed a group of Norwegian chief architects and architects on the Open Call procedure and the workings of the Flemish Government Architect’s team.
The Flanders Architecture Institute looks back on an inspiring visit to Oslo. The projects we visited and the exchange of knowledge with the Norwegian architects were particularly fascinating. We hope that this will mark the start of further contacts and that the participants will also be able to apply the insights and experiences gained to their own practice in Flanders and Brussels.
Thank you to our partners for their ongoing commitment, and thank you to the local architects for their professional guidance.
17.09.2026 - 19.09.2026
Oslo
Norway
Flanders Architecture Institute
Reynaers Aluminium, Febelcem, Vola en Vande Moortel
The General Representation of Flanders in the Nordic Countries
