A Norwegian Welcome: The Vesterheim Commons' Soaring Mass Timber Canopy

Candra Burns
Mar 6
6 min read

Updated: Mar 6

In the heart of Decorah, Iowa, a town steeped in Norwegian-American heritage, a new architectural gem has emerged, seamlessly blending tradition with contemporary mass timber design.

The Vesterheim Commons, an 8,000-square-foot addition to the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, stands as a testament to cultural preservation and innovative construction, prominently featuring mass timber's sustainable and aesthetically pleasing qualities. Designed by the New York office of the acclaimed Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, in collaboration with Kansas City-based BNIM as the architect of record, the Commons offers a dynamic new entry point and gathering space for the institution, solidifying Decorah’s position as an unassuming center for Norwegian-American culture.

A mass timber wooden ceiling with a well-designed circular vent where people can look down into this floor. Mass timber posts and beams frame the room. — Photographer Credits: Michael Grimm

A Historical Backdrop Meets Contemporary Design

For a town whose population swells tenfold each July for Nordic Fest, Vesterheim has long been a year-round anchor, claiming to be the single-largest museum in the country dedicated to a single immigrant group. Snøhetta’s master plan, completed in 2019, aimed to unify the museum’s disparate buildings, and the Vesterheim Commons, was completed in September 2023.

The masonry-clad addition, extending the scale of the existing 19th-century structures along Water Street, conceals a remarkable secret within its walls: a mass timber frame fabricated in Albert Lea, Minnesota. This deliberate choice of material not only speaks to the tradition and craft of Norwegian-American culture but also underscores a commitment to sustainability.

The other floor with a wooden mass timber ceiling and posts and beams. The circular ceiling goes up into the ceiling with different wood pieces in various shades of natural color. — Photographer Credits: Michael Grimm

The Beauty and Benefits of Exposed Mass Timber

Visitors are immediately drawn to the south and west sides of the new building by a swooping cantilevered canopy, an architectural flourish designed to invoke traditional Norwegian boats. This inviting entrance not only provides shelter but also boldly reveals its glued-laminated timber. According to Snøhetta project leader Chad Carpenter, “Expressing the laminated beams, decking, and columns started a visual framework of seeing the exposed structure as you go through,”. This exposed interior structure showcases a blend of Douglas fir and western red cedar. For the canopy and the first-floor storefront columns, which bear the brunt of the elements, Alaskan yellow cedar was chosen for its durability and clean grain.

The intentional use of mass timber extended beyond structural elements. Wood mullions proved to be a more economical and sustainable choice than a conventional aluminum curtainwall system at the entrance. “Because we had this conversation going with a glulam fabricator, we were able to engineer mullions out of glulam sticks that were like chopsticks to these guys,” Carpenter explained, from ThinkWood. He further emphasized that wood emerged as the superior material, boasting a lower carbon footprint, a warmer aesthetic, and a lower cost compared to metal. “That was a fortunate bonus,” Carpenter from ThinkWood.

The corner of the building from the exterior and its wooden hanging features from the exterior of the building. — Photographer Credits: Michael Grimm

Sustainability Woven Throughout

The 8,000 square-foot, three-story Vesterheim Commons houses a variety of spaces designed to enhance the museum experience. The ground floor features a gift shop and event space that opens to Water Street and a west-side plaza. This lobby, described by Snøhetta’s project lead Matt McMahon, offers a “cool respite from the hot sun outside” on opening day. He also highlighted the design’s solar strategies, noting how the wood-slat ceiling rises to bring in more daylight, while the canopy provides shade in the summer and allows lower winter sun to penetrate deeply into the lobby.

The architects collaborated with Arup to line the oculus’s interior with cedar planks of varying sizes to effectively diffuse sound. This oculus allows natural light to flood the lobby, creating a welcoming and airy atmosphere. The second floor is primarily configured as open gallery space, while the third floor accommodates a classroom, studio, and offices, including a collection study space and digital lab to broaden the reach of Vesterheim’s collections.

Architectural Gestures Rooted in Culture

The design of the Vesterheim Commons is deeply rooted in Norwegian culture. The welcoming canopy, inspired by the designs of renowned Norwegian boats like the Colin Archer boat and the Restauration craft, creates a protected and highly visible entry. The mass timber frames with concrete footings are reminiscent of the stone foundations of the Norwegian “stabbur,” traditional storehouses. Even the textured concrete used in the walls draws inspiration from the work of Erling Viksja, the architect of Norway’s national government building. Inside, the oculus’s form is said to resemble Saami tents, known as “Lavvu”.

The exterior close up of the building with people gathering outside on benches and a large full-length window on the 2nd floor that a person is looking out of. — Photographer Credits: Michael Grimm

Unifying the Campus and Enhancing the Visitor Experience

The project not only provides functional spaces but also strengthens the connection between the museum collection and the Folk Art School. This integration aims to enrich the visitor experience, both for those physically present in Decorah and those participating digitally through the new video and photography production studio. The Commons also creates a central outdoor gathering space, unifying the campus and extending Vesterheim’s Heritage Park with Water Street. The Heritage Park’s urban woodland, inspired by the similarities between the Driftless region of Northeastern Iowa and the wooded landscapes of Norway, further reinforces this connection to the land.

Crafted with Local Materials and Regional Expertise

Construction of the Vesterheim Commons began in March 2022 and concluded with its public opening in September 2023. While specific figures for the amount of timber used and the project's budget are not explicitly stated in the provided sources, the consistent emphasis on the extensive use of glulam beams, columns, and GLT panels, along with light-frame wood construction, clearly indicates a significant commitment to mass timber in this project.

According to Chad Carpenter, “There’s an optimism in the client and in the place, and that is what we wanted to really see in the building,” - ThinkWood. The monumental treatment of timber in the canopy and the simple palette effectively draw visitors into the building, creating an iconic image that reflects the town, its traditions, and its unique community.

Vesterheim Commons stands as visionary design, with respect for cultural heritage, and a commitment to sustainable building practices can converge to create a truly exceptional place. The innovative use of mass timber not only significantly reduces the building's environmental footprint but also imbues it with a tangible warmth and character that deeply resonates with the cultural narratives it safeguards. This project is far more than an addition; it represents reinvigoration of Vesterheim’s enduring mission, seamlessly connecting the past with the future and fostering meaningful connections between the local community and a global audience.

Project Team and Contributors:

Design Architect: Snøhetta
Architect of Record: BNIM
Structural Engineer: Fast + Epp, MBJ Engineers
Acoustic Specialist: Arup
Contractor: McGough Construction
Mass Timber Fabricator: Bell Structural Solutions
Brick Fabricator: Glen-Gery Brick
Mason: Berger Masonry
Concrete Fabricator: Wicks Construction
Entry Sign Woodworker: Jock Holmen
Vesterheim Curtain Wall Contractor: W.L. Hall
Glass & Custom Frit: Agnora
Cost Consultant: Directional Logic
Landscape Contractor: 2nd Nature
Heritage Park Phase I Landscape Architect: Damon Farber
MEP Engineering: Morrissey Engineering
Lighting Engineering: Morrissey Engineering
Civil Engineering: Erdman Engineering
Sustainability Consultant: Atelier 10
Photographer Credits: Michael Grimm
Client: Vesterheim, National Norwegian-American Museum, and Folk Art School

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What type of mass timber was primarily used in the construction of Vesterheim Commons? The primary mass timber components were glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams and columns, as well as glue-laminated timber (GLT) panels.
Can you elaborate on the cultural inspiration behind the canopy design? The design of the soaring wooden canopy is directly inspired by the form and tradition of Norwegian boats, intended to create a prominent and welcoming entrance to the cultural hub.
What were the key strategies employed to minimize the environmental impact of the building? Significant efforts were made to prioritize wood over more carbon-intensive materials like steel and aluminum, not only in the exposed structure but also in the interior partitions, which utilized conventional light-frame wood construction.
What is the significance of the oculus in the interior design of Vesterheim Commons? The interior wood oculus serves as a striking architectural feature that visually connects the ground and second floors, while also allowing natural light to flood the lobby area. Its design draws inspiration from elements of Norwegian cultural heritage, including the shape of ship prows and the traditional Saami "Lavvu" tents.
When was the Vesterheim Commons project officially completed and opened to the public? The Vesterheim Commons was completed and opened its doors to the public in September 2023.