Artsdatabanken

A workplace shaped by nature – with nature at its core

When you step into Artsdatabanken’s offices in Trondheim, you’re greeted by a sense of calm. Not silence, but focused stillness. A space where daylight and views play leading roles, and where colours, materials, and layout have been thoughtfully composed.

A dialogue between landscape, light, and layout

The offices are located right by the Trondheim Fjord. Weather changes quickly here at the Pirsenteret – sunshine, wind, and rain shift in minutes – making nature a tangible part of daily life. That’s why the view and the light became central starting points when we were commissioned to design the new workspace for Artsdatabanken.

In the open-plan layout, workstations are placed along the water to give as many employees as possible access to the spectacular view. Smaller rooms – for meetings, focus work and conversations – divide the landscape into zones and help reduce both visual and acoustic noise. Glass partitions and open furnishing principles allow light to flow deep into the centre zone, where the kitchen is located. Even here, without direct access to daylight, the room feels bright and inviting – with visual connection to the sea and the open landscape.

The theme of nature runs throughout the project. Each room has its own colour profile, inspired by images from Artsdatabanken’s extensive species database. Birds, mosses, fungi, beetles, mammals, and fish all played a role in defining the tones. These colours are applied to surfaces and lighting control panels, and contribute to a sense of cohesion throughout the interior.

In the centre zone, where daylight is more limited, we worked consciously with warmer materials, wood, and tactile details. This area houses the kitchen, print/copy zone, and several meeting rooms – all designed to be just as attractive as the spaces with natural light.

Custom-designed furniture and integrated lighting

We also designed bespoke interior elements for the project – a wardrobe wall with species display, dining tables, coffee tables, oak-clad wall sections, and the main conference table – all crafted by Lium Møbelverksted. The lighting concept, developed in collaboration with O. Løkken and Stokkan Lys, combines functional task lighting with warm ambience and strong visual quality.

A green identity – in form and function

Green elements were a key part of the concept, both as mood-setters and as visual extensions of Artsdatabanken’s mission. Trees, potted plants, and foliage have been carefully placed in social zones and workspaces alike. In the corner between the kitchen and the lounge, a full-height moss wall stretches from floor to ceiling – a natural focal point and calming presence in the interior. It’s one of the first things visitors encounter, and it quietly but clearly communicates who Artsdatabanken is.

Inspiration

With nature as the overarching theme, a rich palette of colours and materials was developed, giving each room its own identity while creating cohesion through materiality. The colour scheme was inspired by photographs from Artsdatabanken’s species database, collecting tones from mammals, fungi, mosses, beetles, birds, and fish.

Materials

The material palette is rooted in nature and combines coarse textiles felt, oak veneer, linoleum, and muted metals. Colours inspired by Norway’s biodiversity – lavender, sand, deep green, rust red, and mustard yellow – add depth and identity to each space. A mix of matte and tactile surfaces creates a sensory-rich environment. Green plants and trees are integrated throughout, and a corner between the kitchen and lounge features a full-height moss wall. In social areas, wood and textile details contribute warmth and softness.

Custom Furniture

We developed custom interior elements tailored to the space and the organisation’s identity – including wardrobes, dining and meeting tables, coffee tables, and oak-clad wall sections. A central feature is the species display, inspired by museum design, with backlit opal acrylic panels and silhouettes of selected species from Artsdatabanken’s archive. The furniture was produced by Lium Møbelverksted in close coordination with technical consultants and ceiling height specifications.

Lighting

The lighting plan was developed in collaboration with electrician O. Løkken and supplier Stokkan Lys. It features a variety of lighting types adapted to the functions of each zone. In open work areas, surface-mounted fixtures and desk lamps provide focused lighting. In meeting rooms, adjustable spotlights are combined with recessed fixtures for comfortable, glare-free task lighting. Social zones feature a mix of downlights, pendants, and ambient lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere.