![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-1.jpg)
National Gallery of Greenland by BIG
Danish architects Bjarke Ingels Group have won a competition to design the new National Gallery of Greenland in the country's capital city, Nuuk.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-32.jpg)
The building will form a ring round a central glazed courtyard.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-33.jpg)
Its roofline and internal paths will follow the shape of the sloping site, which overlooks a fjord.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-34.jpg)
The gallery will display both historical and contemporary art.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-35.jpg)
BIG won the commission in collaboration with local firms TNT Nuuk, Ramboll Nuuk and Inge Bisgaard of Arkitekti.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-36.jpg)
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-37.jpg)
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The information that follows is from BIG:
BIG WINS THE COMPETITION TO DESIGN GREENLAND’S NEW NATIONAL GALLERY
BIG + TNT Nuuk + Ramboll Nuuk + Arkitekti is the winning team to design the new National Gallery of Greenland in the country’s capital Nuuk, among invited proposals totaling 6 Nordic architects.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-54.gif)
Located on a steep slope overlooking the most beautiful of Greenland’s fjords, the 3000 m2 National Gallery will serve as a cultural and architectural icon for the people of Greenland.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-55.gif)
The new museum will combine historical and contemporary art of the country in one dynamic institution.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-57.gif)
The winning proposal was selected by a unanimous museum board among 6 proposals, including Norwegian Snøhetta, Finnish Heikkinen‐Komonen, Islandic Studio Granda and Greenlandic Tegnestuen Nuuk.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-58.gif)
“The Board has a clear vision: to work for the establishment of an internationally oriented highly professional institution that communicates the continuous project of documenting and developing the Greenlandic national identity through art and culture.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-59.gif)
Our dream is a national gallery where historic and contemporary art meets circumpolar pieces, Nordic and world art in general.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-40.jpg)
Our dream is an institution that stimulates our curiosity, awake our excitement with its thought‐provoking design and where we all feel at home.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-41.gif)
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Selecting a prominent architect as BIG, I am sure that our chances of realizing that dream are good”, Tuusi Josef Motzfeldt, Greenland’s National Gallery of Art.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-42.gif)
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As a projection of a geometrically perfect circle on to the steep slope, the new gallery is conceived as a courtyard building that combines a pure geometrical layout with a sensitive adaption to the landscape.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-43.gif)
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The three‐dimensional imprint of the landscape creates a protective ring around the museum’s focal point, the sculpture garden where visitors, personnel, exhibition merge with culture and nature, inside and outside.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-0044.gif)
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“The Danish functionalistic architecture in Nuuk is typically square boxes which ignore the unique nature of Greenland.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-45.gif)
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We therefore propose a national gallery which is both physically and visually in harmony with the dramatic nature, just like life in Greenland is a symbiosis of the nature.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-46.gif)
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We have created a simple, functional and symbolic shape, where the perfect circle is supplied by the local topography which creates a unique hybrid between the abstract shape and the specific location”, Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Partner, BIG.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-47.gif)
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The slope opens up the sculpture garden towards the city and the view, framing both the sculpture garden and museum functions.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-49.gif)
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A rough looking external façade of white concrete will patinate over time and adjust to the local weather, while the circular inner glass façade will consist of a simple and refined frame which contrasts the rough nature and compliments the beautiful view.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-50.gif)
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” The building will with its simplistic coarseness and harmony with the landscape become a symbol of the current independent Greenlandic artistic and architectural expression.”, Andreas Klok Pedersen, Partner & Project Leader, BIG.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-51.gif)
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The circular shape of the gallery enables a flexible division of the exhibition into different shapes and sizes, creating a unique framework for the museum’s art.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-52.gif)
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Visitor access to the exhibition happens through a covered opening created by a slight lift in the façade into a lobby with a 180 degree panorama view towards the sculpture garden and the fjord as well as access to the common museum functions, including ticket counters, wardrobe, boutique and a café.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-53.gif)
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The new gallery will create more activity at the waterfront by attracting the whole area is interconnected by a path which like the museum, forms after the shifting inclinations of the terrain.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-17.gif)
The locals and visitors will be able to admire the clear shape of the gallery which appears as a sculpture or a piece of land‐art.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-18.gif)
“Greenland National Gallery for Art will play a significant role for the citizens of Greenland and the inhabitants of Nuuk as a cultural, social, political, urban and architectural focal point that opens towards the city and the world through its perfect circular geometry and shape”, Bjarke Ingels, Stifter & Partner, BIG.
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-19.gif)
PROJECT: Greenland National Gallery
CLIENT: Nunatta Eqqumiitsulianik Saqqummersitsivia
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-20.gif)
SIZE: 3000 m2
LOCATION: Nuuk, Greenland
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-21.gif)
COLLABORATION: TNT Nuuk, Rambøll Nuuk, Arkitekti, MIR, Glessner Group
PARTNER IN CHARGE: Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Pedersen
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-22.gif)
PROJECT LEADER: Jakob Henke
TEAM: Daniel Selensky, Ji –young Yoon, Gul Ertekin, Aleksander Tokarz, Alessio Zenaro, Johan Cool Nicklas Antoni Rasch
![National Gallery of Greenland by BIG National Gallery of Greenland by BIG](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2011/02/dzn_National-Gallery-of-Greenland-by-BIG-23.gif)
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