mack tromsø

a beehive of culture and city life in the arctic

The revitalization of this part town, which aside from the Mack Complex, features cultural institutions like the Center for Contemporary Art, the Polaria Museum & Aquarium, the Academy of Arts, and the upcoming Arctic University Museum, is set to establish a significant cultural center and landmark for both Norway and the Arctic region. 

Concrete successfully renamed the area into “the Cultural Quarter”, which is providing Tromsø with another take and place of destination in addition to its great landscape and the northern lights that attracts people to the city.

The covered market street connects the complex to the urban fabric, linking the city’s northern centre to the south, and provides a year around sheltered space for people to meet and interact. The diverse array of experiences and functions, united under one roof, are contributing to Tromsø's journey towards becoming a dynamic and culturally empowered destination.

To create more connectivity, the Mack complex and its surrounding area, including the quay, will open up to make it more inviting for the public to use. The footprint of the existing complex is reduced to establish clear view corridors and improve public circulation around the complex. The open and active street fronts on all sides cultivate an inviting and open atmosphere, energizing and activating the quay, as well as the side streets and Tromsø's main road Storgata.

To seamlessly integrate these new developments into the city’s urban fabric and connect the city center with its southern counterpart, a covered bustling market street has been introduced within the Mack complex. This vibrant thoroughfare, operational year-round despite Tromsø's unpredictable weather, provides a space for events, markets, outdoor seating, and indoor activities. In the heart of the market street, you will find a bakery located along this covered passage. Here, amidst remains of the area’s industrial past, visitors can explore a large food hall, diverse retail outlets, and a hotel lobby, all contributing to the vibrant activation of the area day and night. 

echoes of the north: tromsø's scenic actic concert hall

As part of the Mack complex, the Arctic Concert Hall aims to combine superb acoustic quality with magnificent views onto the incredible Arctic surroundings. The architecture and interiors of the venue stands as a testament to the fusion of architecture and nature. 

This venue hosts classical concerts, opera, amplified concerts and other events like lectures and conferences. The Arctic Concert Hall’s design is characterized by stacked volumes showing the individual rooms. Each volume is purposefully crafted to enhance both acoustics and visual experiences, creating a truly unique and immersive environment for its visitors.

The main hall, placed in the heart of the complex in a gold clad box, can accommodate 1200 visitors. On top of the main hall sits the Kammersal, a venue for 600 visitors, featuring a glazed roof - making it the only destination in the world - where one can enjoy live music and watch the northern lights at the same time, creating an unforgettable moment.