Hovering above the wetland, the building takes on an almost ethereal quality. Its predominant form – an extrusion of two orthogonal volumes in plan – harkens back to the iconography of a Nordic cross. This robust volumetry stands in careful contrast with the articulated finesse of its structure and facade: a system of self-supporting wood members that interlock with each other, and give way to a wooden rainscreen that shields the exhibitions within. Similar to a biblical arc floating in the water, the building takes on a completely novel architectural language, evoking images of the vernacular architecture endemic to these Nordic latitudes, and the centuries-old shipbuilding tradition that has defined Norwegian culture. Owing to its materiality, the building seamlessly blends with its surrounding context. Both in plan and in section, the building celebrates the layering of materials, spaces, and visual experiences, articulating a carefully choreographed sequence that takes visitors from the dense woodland to the banks of the Glomma river.