Oslo Triennale chief says rich Norway must put nature first in building

Wealthy Norway must use its riches to put nature first in how it builds, the director of the Oslo Architecture Triennale in Norway has said.

Line Ramstad, a landscape architect from Norway who designs outdoor spaces and landscapes, made the remarks in an interview about this year's festival. She said a rich country with limited willingness to change needs to move from a linear society, where materials are used once and thrown away, to a circular one, where they are reused. Dezeen

Ramstad has led the Triennale, a festival held every three years, since 1 August 2024. She also serves as chief curator, the person who shapes the artistic programme. Her comments frame the 2026 edition around a direct question to builders and the public.

That question is the theme of the main exhibition and talks: "What If Nature Comes First?" The festival has brought together built environment professionals, the architects, planners and engineers who shape cities, alongside the public at Sofienberg Church in Oslo.

The church is the main venue this year. It overlooks the Grünerløkka neighbourhood and is being used as both exhibition space and conference venue. Wallpaper

The 2026 edition runs from 17 September to 1 October at the church. Dezeen It features 32 international exhibitors showing work inside the building.

The programme is wide. It includes an opening conference titled "What If Nature Comes First?" and seminars on practical ideas for greener cities. One session is billed as "Stone as a structural idea: The New Stone Age". Another full-day event, organised with Oslotraer, is titled "From asphalt to urban nature" and looks at giving Oslo more room for trees, water and urban wildlife.

Ramstad also took part in a programme event at the church on 22 September, listed as director and curatorial lead. The Triennale has published its list of contributors for 2026 online, along with a filmed interview with Ramstad about the opening.

What makes this stand out for a general visitor is the setting. A working church is hosting debates about construction, stone, rain gardens and city trees, not just drawings on walls.

For fans, this means architecture you can walk into and argue about. No design background needed.