Norwegian architect behind Busan Opera House highlights architecture’s role in social change

Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind speaks during a luncheon event titled “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures” at the ambassador's residence in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Norwegian Embassy in Korea

Architecture should do more than create iconic buildings — it should shape how people interact, gather and experience their cities, according to Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Norwegian architectural and design firm Snøhetta, which is currently leading the Busan Opera House project.

Speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday, Thorsen outlined Snøhetta’s design philosophy and highlighted projects from around the world, arguing that architecture can serve as a catalyst for cultural participation, social integration and sustainable development.

The event, held at the Norwegian ambassador’s residence under the theme “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures,” brought together architects, cultural leaders and industry professionals to explore the role of design in shaping contemporary society.

Welcoming guests, Norwegian Ambassador Anne Kari Hansen Ovind described Snøhetta as one of Norway’s most influential creative enterprises and a global ambassador for Norwegian design.

“Snøhetta has helped place Norwegian architecture and design firmly on the global map, and we are very proud of it,” Ovind said. “The firm reflects many of the values we hold in Norway: openness, creativity, sustainability and a deep respect for nature and the people who use public spaces.”

Kjetil Trædal Thorsen, founding partner of Norwegian architectural and design firm Snøhetta, which is currently leading the Busan Opera House project, gives a presentation titled “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures” at the Norwegian ambassador's residence in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Snøhetta

Founded in 1987, Snøhetta has grown into a multidisciplinary practice employing more than 250 people from 40 countries across seven studios in Oslo, New York, Paris, Innsbruck, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Named after a mountain in central Norway, the firm is known for integrating architecture, landscape architecture, art, interior design and product design into a collaborative, dialogue-driven approach.

Reflecting on the origins of the practice, Thorsen said Snøhetta was established shortly after the publication of the landmark United Nations report "Our Common Future," which emphasized environmental, social and economic sustainability.

“We believed it should be possible to translate this political vision into real action through architecture,” Thorsen said.

Over the past three decades, the firm has completed a number of internationally acclaimed projects, including the Bibliotheca Alexandrina in Egypt, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet in Oslo, the National September 11 Memorial Museum Pavilion in New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Beijing Library and Under, the world’s largest underwater restaurant.

Thorsen also pointed to the transformation of New York’s Times Square into a pedestrian-friendly public space as an example of how architecture and urban design can reclaim cities for people by replacing vehicle-dominated environments with spaces that encourage social interaction and public life.

An architectural render of Busan Opera House / Courtesy of Snøhetta and Tegmark

The firm is currently undertaking several major projects in Asia, including the Busan Opera House, Shanghai Grand Opera House and Tokyo’s Shibuya Upper West development. Ovind said she expects the Busan Opera House to become a new cultural landmark for Korea.

The Busan Opera House is scheduled to open in 2027 as part of the city’s North Port redevelopment project. The 48,000-square-meter complex will feature an 1,800-seat grand auditorium, a 300-seat multipurpose theater and a publicly accessible rooftop overlooking the waterfront. Upon completion, it is expected to serve as a major cultural hub and a new architectural landmark for Busan

“I recently visited the site, and it looked amazing,” the Norwegian ambassador noted. “I believe it will become a remarkable landmark for Korea and a symbol of the strong cultural ties between Norway and Korea.”

Emily Yan, director at Snøhetta Studio Hong Kong (Asia Region), which is currently leading the Busan Opera House project, gives presents at the “Designing Culture, Designing Change: Architecture as a Catalyst for Collective Futures” event at the Norwegian ambassador's residence in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Snøhetta

Throughout his presentation, Thorsen stressed that architecture should be understood as an evolving relationship between people, nature and place rather than as a collection of standalone objects.

“Architecture is not just about buildings,” he said. “It is about creating places for events and encounters that have not yet happened.”