From weather-beaten research stations to residential buildings, a university and church, Statsbygg manages a total of 18 properties on Svalbard.

Residential buildings

Nowhere on Earth does global warming happen more quickly than in the arctic region. Since 1971, winters on the archipelago have become 7.3°C warmer.

Higher temperatures and increased precipitation have resulted in multiple avalanches in recent years. Due to the avalanches, Statsbygg has lost a total of 15 residential units on Svalbard. Also, several government residential buildings are still located in the avalanche-prone zone.

In order to maintain the settlement, protect the inhabitants, promote business development and ensure a State presence, in 2018 and 2019, Statsbygg built 60 new residential units in an avalanche-safe area. The residential units were built as modules at a factory in Steinkjer and transported via ship to Longyearbyen. Over the course of a few days, the modules were mounted on large steel frames, which are attached to the bedrock to ensure stability.

The residential units have very low energy requirements and are insulated well beyond the statutory requirements. The interior of the units features eco-friendly materials and surfaces.

Svalbard Research Park

In Longyearbyen, Statsbygg is responsible for the largest building on Svalbard. The Research Park is a co-localisation of the academic communities in Longyearbyen. The goal of the project was an expansion of the University Centre on Svalbard (UNIS), new areas for the Norwegian Polar Institute (NP), a cultural-historical storage area for the Governor of Svalbard and new premises for Svalbard Museum.

Work on the programme started in 2001. An architectural design competition was held the same year and the winner was Jarmund Vigsnæs Arkitekter. Building work started in 2003 and the building was opened in April 2006. Comprising 8500 m², Svalbard Research Park contains a library, classrooms, museum and laboratories, among other facilities.

Svalbard Church

The first church in Longyearbyen burnt down in the Second World War. The present church was consecrated in 1958 and comprises a chapel, meeting hall and residence. The church has a timber framework covered in diagonal eternite slates.

In 2020, Statsbygg is working on the renovation of Svalbard Church. Like most of the other buildings on Svalbard, the church’s foundations are rooted in the permafrost. With the higher temperatures, seven of the wooden piles have decayed and cracked and the entire building’s foundations must be relaid.

Research stations

Statsbygg manages several research stations on Svalbard. The stations are largely inaccessible and are subject to harsh weather conditions.

One of the stations is the Kjell Henriksen observatory, which observes the Northern Lights, as well as the Sverdrup station in Ny-Ålesund, which is one of the most northerly settlements in the world.