Among the historic buildings at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, TradLab TRE is an innovation pilot developed through FutureBuilt. Designed by architect Olav Vidvei, the building explores how traditional craftsmanship, natural materials and reuse can respond to today’s climate and resource challenges.

The building is constructed using simple structures, natural materials and a high degree of reuse. Old timber beams have been given new life in the load-bearing structure and in walls built using traditional wood-block techniques, while other timber has been sourced locally, including from Nordmarka. The project explores how knowledge and building methods from a time of scarcer resources can remain relevant to how we build today.

The building itself is also part of the learning experience. TradLab TRE will house workshops for traditional crafts and building conservation and serve as a place of learning for children, young people and students in vocational construction programmes, among others.

During the tour, you will meet Terje Planke, senior curator at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, together with several of those involved in the development of the project.

Meeting point: At the main entrance to the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. We will walk together to TradLab TRE.

The event is part of Oslo Architecture Triennale 2026, What if Nature Comes First?