Norwegian Consulate
Client:
Royal Norwegian Consulate General
Scope:
Consular Office Planning and Design
Location:
San Francisco, CA
Size:
5,000 square feet
Goals for the Norwegian Consulate’s new facility in San Francisco were an enhanced public image, improved visitor experience, as well as greater functionality and flexibility for staff. In response to this challenge, the design team developed a plan that clearly separates private and public functions and achieves enhanced transparency while maintaining security. A retractable glass partition allows the main conference room and secondary reception area to serve together as a gathering area for public engagements.
Credits:
Rien van Rijthoven
Included in the program is an open work area dedicated to the Consulate’s outreach and innovation group whose focus is to promote development of Norwegian business enterprises with U.S. partners. A restrained material palette includes white oak paneling, lacquered casework, and glass. Throughout the space, furniture, light fixtures, and artwork by Scandinavian designers and wall graphics inspired by boreal forests were carefully selected to help showcase national identity.