Embassy of the United States, Oslo

United States Embassy in Oslo
U.S. Embassy building complex in Oslo
LocationMakrellbekken, Oslo
AddressMorgedalsveien 36
Coordinates59°56′29″N 10°40′10″E / 59.94139°N 10.66944°E / 59.94139; 10.66944
WebsiteOslo Embassy

The Embassy of the United States in Oslo is the diplomatic representation of the federal government of the United States to the Kingdom of Norway. Located in Oslo, the current embassy building has been in use since May 2017. The current Embassy is located in Morgedalsvegen 36, near the Makrellbekken Metro Station, in one of the city's western suburbs. Visitors to the embassy are encouraged to use public transport.[1]

Marc B. Nathanson served as the United States ambassador to Norway from June 2022 to February 2024.[2]

Norwegian-American diplomatic history

With the dissolution of Sweden–Norway in 1905, the US became one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Norway, that same year. During the Nazi German occupation of Norway in World War II, the United States had no diplomatic representation in Oslo, but the separate ambassador to Norway had diplomatic contact with the Norwegian government-in-exile in London. The Embassy was staffed again right after the war.[3]

The relationship between the United States and Norway is characterized by a long history as partners, friends and allies.[4]

Architectural history

The former embassy chancery on Henrik Ibsens gate in downtown Oslo was designed by Finnish–American architect Eero Saarinen, who also designed the American embassy in London and the Gateway Arch in Saint Louis, Missouri. It was completed in 1959, four years after Saarinen was first selected for the project. The base of the building forms a horizontal triangle with a dark exterior, which lead to poor circulation and offices with abnormal shapes but also gave it a modern appeal and was well-suited for receptions.[6] Physical security measures, including a fence surrounding the chancery, were added after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S.

As of June 2016, some of the windows had the colors corresponding to those of the Rainbow Flag to give recognition to Pride Month.[7]

New chancery

For years, officials searched for a new embassy location. The suggestion to build in a former forest became controversial, as many feared it would permanently shut the public out of the area. In December 2005, the Oslo City Council decided with the least possible majority that the embassy should be offered a new embassy area in Huseby Forest, not far from Makrellbekken subway station.[8]

On 14 May 2012, the groundbreaking ceremony for an embassy at the new location was conducted in Oslo. The US$228,000,000 project has a particular focus on environmental features and is constructed by Walsh Group of Chicago and the architects/engineers are EYP Architecture & Engineering.[9]

The new embassy meets stricter requirements for security for US embassy buildings. It opened on 15 May 2017.[1] The embassy at Makrellbekken in Oslo has achieved LEED Gold certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for its numerous green elements. The embassy's environmental features includes the restoration of a seasonal stream that runs through the site, green roofs, preservation of existing landscape, maximized use of natural light and a ground-source heat exchange.[10]

2026 explosion

Main article: 2026 bombing of the United States Embassy in Oslo

On the night of 8 March 2026, an explosive device detonated at the consular entrance of the embassy. The explosion caused material damage to the building, but no one was injured. The Norwegian police stated that the blast was likely caused by an improvised explosive device and launched an investigation into the incident. This device was placed at the building's entrance.[11] On 11 March 2026, three men in their twenties were arrested and charged with terror bombing.[12][13]

Embassy sections

Trade unions

Embassies in Norway are not required to answer to trade unions of its employees.[14] The embassy does not negotiate with trade unions of its employees.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "New Embassy at Makrellbekken". Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  2. ^ Ariturk, Selim (2 July 2022). "New US ambassador arrives in Oslo". The Norwegian American.
  3. ^ A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Norway Office of the Historian
  4. ^ U.S. Relations With Norway U.S. Department of State Fact Sheet, 29 September 2017
  5. ^ Old Embassy Building Website of the Embassy of the United States, Oslo
  6. ^ Loeffler, Jane C. (2011). The architecture of diplomacy : building America's embassies (2nd ed.). New York: Princeton Architectural. pp. 191–192. ISBN 978-1-56898-984-6. OCLC 700033660.
  7. ^ "Regnbuefarger og blomster utenfor USAs ambassade i Oslo". 13 June 2016.
  8. ^ Opprop - vern Husebyskogen Web archive (in Norwegian)
  9. ^ Yaseen, Fayyaz (14 May 2012). "USA breaks grounds on its New Embassy in Oslo". News Pakistan. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  10. ^ Embassy achieves LEED Gold for its green elements! Archived 27 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine Website of the U.S. Embassy, Oslo
  11. ^ "Three brothers arrested after explosion at US embassy in Oslo". www.bbc.com. 11 March 2026. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
  12. ^ "Explosion at US embassy in Oslo may have been terrorism, Norway police say". BBC News. 8 March 2026. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
  13. ^ "Politiet - Politiet.no". Politiet (in Norwegian Bokmål). 8 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
  14. ^ a b "USAs ambassade nekter fagorganisering - Makro og politikk - E24". E24.no. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
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