Northern Lights Cathedral

Observation post for spiritual and cultural light

The Cathedral of the Northern Lights is situated in the town of Alta, north of the polar circle – a project that takes its cue from the town’s strong identity as an observation post for Aurora Borealis, also called the northern lights.

As the seat of both religious and cultural life, the cathedral connects local citizens with something beyond the mundane – its spiral points toward this ‘higher realm’ and the polar night sky – the inspiration for its design. ⁠At the core of this thrust is the nave, the main seating area, whose atmosphere of meditative calm contrasts with the dynamic architectural idiom that is the building’s hallmark.

The structure can accommodate 350 people in the church room, and includes administration offices, classrooms, exhibition areas and a parochial area.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Exterior02 Civic
Location:
Alta, Norway
Programme:
Church, culture and community facilities
Size:
1,917 m²
Status:
Completed in 2013. Construction period 2009 – 2013
Client:
The Municipality of Alta
Commission:
1st prize in restricted architecture competition, 2001
Local architect:
Link Arkitektur A/S
Artist collaboration:
Peter Brandes
Engineer:
Rambøll AS, Alta
Main contractor:
Ulf Kivijervi AS

North of the polar circle, a thin spiral connects the snow-covered ground with the vast sky above. The small Norwegian town of Alta is known for this: a point in the landscape from which the heavens open up. It is one of the world’s optimal places to catch a glimpse of the northern lights. The Cathedral of the Northern Lights reflects this natural phenomenon in both name and design. The spiraling bands of the building imitate the bands of light sometimes spotted in the sky. It is modern architecture mimicking the magnetic storms which fill the night sky of this particular site.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Exterior03 Northern Lights Civic
20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Interior04 Details Civic
20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Interior05 Details Civic

The northern lights are referenced throughout the church. Inside the building, light streams from broad concrete curtains encasing the church, framing the central altar and reaching behind the congregation.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Interior02 Civic
20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Interior03 Civic

Spiral-like, the church reaches upwards in a dynamic thrust, which extends from the landscaping below the hill and up through the principal form before culminating in the belfry, which marks its termination point.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Exterior04 Details Civic

The central point of the spiral – where the motion stops and the light streams in – is marked by the location of the baptismal font.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Interior06 Details Civic

Irrespective of vantage point, with its focused thrust and idiom, the Cathedral of the Northern Lights stands out as an emblematic, sculptural composition.

20230413 Cathedral of the Northern Lights Exterior05 Civic