ArchitecTOUR in Sandnes city centre

Take an architectural tour of 28 buildings. Begin wherever you like. Even though our route starts at Ruten.

Why does the city look the way it does?

Houses and buildings surround us and shape our experiences. They tell us about housing styles and living standards, societal development, and how we view ourselves. What have we preserved? What new structures are we building? What do we know about a city's history – its geography, industries, people, and mentality? Take an "ArchitectTOUR". See the map with 28 buildings in Sandnes city. From traditional Jæren houses, Swiss style, industrial architecture, and apartment buildings, to Art Nouveau, Historicism, Neo-Gothic, and Functionalism, to modern monumental structures. Listed, individual buildings, historically significant structures, exciting cultural environments, and radical urban development.

Amfi Shopping Centre/Ullvaren, Vågsgata 33

This complex was developed by Sandnes Uldvarefabrikk, known as 'Ullvaren.' The factory complex gradually expanded from 1889 until operations were moved to Foss-Eikeland in 1986. After relocation, the building structure was converted into a shopping centre and underwent significant interior changes. The various phases of development are still visible on the exterior. This is especially evident in the brick facades of the original spinning mill from 1889 and the weaving mill from 1916. These are low buildings with adjoining gable roofs, projecting pillars, and arched windows with iron rafters – typical industrial architecture from the turn of the century. It was an important workplace for women and generated significant value.

Kulturhuset/Kamgarnfabrikken, Mauritz Kartevoldsplass 1

Sandnes Cultural Centre, established in 1999, is a reimagining of the Kamgarnfabrikken (Comb Yarn Factory), which produced comb yarn for both hand and machine knitting. Brands such as Triplex, Perle-Krepp, and Sonja might be familiar to many. The Cultural Centre is constructed using prefabricated concrete elements, with a red brick shell. The sawtooth roof at the entrance is inspired by the old factory. The chimney is the original one, although it has been shortened in height. The presence of a modern cultural centre in Sandnes marked a significant shift and a strengthening of the city's cultural life. The architects behind this transformation were Knut Hoem and Ole Tonning.

Vågen Videregående Skole and Sandnes Kulturskole, Holbergs gate 43

This is a high school for media, communication, and aesthetic subjects, as well as one of the country's oldest cultural schools, built together. The distinctive cocoon-shaped entrance welcomes students for learning and development. The ribbon of colour in glass along the entire southern side facing the river promenade complements its surroundings beautifully. The elongated form pays homage to the drying sheds of the brickyard industry, where the school is now located. Link Arkitektur has described the project on its website.

Kornsiloen, Havnegata 4

The Jonas Øglænd grain silo from 1977, was designed by Tonning and Øglænd. The agricultural section was a central part of Jonas Øglænd's business from the start. There were positive prospects for agriculture in the 1970s, and Jonas Øglænd built a new large grain silo in Vågen. The 40-meter-high concrete structure consists of 10 silo cells. The architectural style is functionalist. In 1980, a large building with an automatic power feed mixer was built next to the silo. This somewhat diminishes the silo's architecture and impact on the cityscape from some angles, but the silo still stands as a powerful marker of the Vågen industrial area.

Sandnes Brygge/Havnelageret Jonas Øglænd, Havnegata 15

Jonas Øglænd's warehouse no. 5 from 1938, designed by Gustav Helland. This is one of the two remaining authentic harbour warehouses for Jonas Øglænd A/S on either side of Havnegata. Both are relatively low brick buildings in a distinct functionalist style, with characteristic rounded corners, window bands, and flat/sloping roofs. A unique environment characterised by 1930s functionalism in its most pronounced architect-designed form. It is an important part of a larger, complex environment with preserved buildings that showcase the history of the Øglænd conglomerate and, in turn, important aspects of Sandnes' industrial history.

Fogdahuset, Skippergata 5

Fogdahuset is a listed official residence. The oldest parts are likely from the 17th century, while today's visible main structure is probably from 1700-1730. It was previously a residence for the bailiff with courtrooms and a jail. Fogdahuset is said to have been built in 1725 by bailiff Oluf Zachariessen. The residence was on the official estate until 1760 and on the farm until 1960. It is a large central corridor house in a neoclassical style. It features a double-winged gate door with an overhead window. The door is framed by robust moulding with geometric carvings in the early Empire style.

Emmanuel Simonsen's Villa, Gravarsveien 61

A stately residence from the 1890s, one of Sandnes' most prominent Swiss-style houses, built in stages until 1916. It is particularly rich in, at times, rare carpentry details. Its connection to the pottery magnate and shipowner Emanuel Simonsen links the house to Hana's industrial history, giving the property significant value in terms of identity, historical value, and architecture. Today, there are no other remnants of this history. There are outbuildings nearby, originally used as a washhouse and outdoor toilet. It's part of a rare comprehensive complex.

The Center of the Quarter City

Sandnes became a trading post in 1860 and represents a typical Norwegian city built according to the urban planning ideals of its time, the grid plan. Langgata is its backbone. Urban development gained momentum after Krossen became a transportation hub and trading center around 1870. The wooden houses from the Swiss-style period define the city's main character. Subsequent periods add depth to the architectural environment. The quarters are characterized by houses built for both residence and commerce in close interaction, providing a varied picture of trade and industry as the city's main livelihoods. As we now enter Langgata, we are right in the heart of the quarter city.

Nygaardshuset, Langgata 8

A protected empire-style house from around 1835. It is the only building from before the formation of the city in Sandnes' centre. Heimahus was built around 1835 by tanner Bendik Osmundson Nygaard. Several later owners were blacksmiths. The house has a central hallway plan, a symmetrical facade, a central bay, and a double-winged gate door with a canopy supported by columns and a triangular gable. It's a fine example of the columned porch that is so characteristic of Sandnes' classicism. It is part of a city block with several well-preserved older houses that are of great importance in understanding various aspects of Sandnes' history.

Lanternen, Aaslaug Aaslands plass, Langgata

Lanternen is a wooden sculpture, stage, and square built in connection with Stavanger & Sandnes Kulturhovedstad 2008. The architectural competition, organised by Norwegian Wood and Ecobox, was won by the French architecture firm AWP and Atelier Oslo. The goal was an environmentally friendly stage that would uplift the street environment. Emphasis was placed on construction and architectural form. The building consists of oak columns, glued laminated timber, and glass. The construction was intended to evoke associations with old barn buildings. There have been questions about relocating it, both because Lanternen contrasts with the historic cityscape and because the quality of the experience would improve with more space around the building itself.

Sandnes Church, Kirkegata 10

Sandnes Church is a neo-Gothic brick church designed by architect H. S. Eckhoff in 1882. Eckhoff's church is characterised by brick architecture with a distinct neo-Gothic style, a typical choice in the historicism of the time. It is the first monumental building in Sandnes and stood almost alone in an otherwise sparsely built area for a long time. The brickwork was done by Mortensen from Stavanger, and the bricks were supplied by Ganns Potteri and Teglverk. Older photos show a patterned slate roof, with the date 1910 inscribed on the eastern roof surface.

Sandnes Rådhus, Rådhusgata 1

Sandnes had a new town hall in 2019. With the project called "Felles grunn" (Common Ground), the German architectural company Code of Practice won the competition and the prestigious commission. Great emphasis was placed on delving into local history and creating a good meeting place for democracy and citizen dialogue. Sandnes is growing rapidly, and the town hall is both a landmark and a monument in the transformation area that was previously dominated by port activities, industry, and building supply trade. The proud history of the Ceramics City is preserved in the exterior facade with ceramic cladding panels in brick.

Gamlaværket, Langgata/St. Olavs gate 38

A brick house from 1910, originally a residence. Part of the city complex from the 1890s and early 1900s. The house is built in plastered brick by the blacksmith Torkel Svendsen Raugstad. The complex, as registered in 1983, consisted of two interconnected residential/commercial buildings facing Langgata and a blacksmith's shop further in, both Swiss-style wooden houses built around 1890. Facing St. Olavs gate, there are three brick houses, a stable with an outhouse, and two residential houses, probably built shortly after 1900. Today, the stable and residential houses facing St. Olavs gate have been combined into a restaurant as part of Gamlaværket.

Bendixhuset, Langgata 53

A large corner building in distinctive Art Nouveau style from 1923. This is where Sandnes' oldest house, Bendixhuset, stood in the days of the coastal village before the city was formed. Bendixhuset was replaced by this large brick building in 1923. The builders were Rasmus and Marie Gausel, who ran a cigar and tobacco shop. The house is in a distinctive, albeit slightly heavy, Art Nouveau style. Characterised by rounded corners and curved arches. It's typical of the time but relatively rare in Sandnes. The house has a high degree of originality and is one of the few that still has the ground floor with old display windows and entrance doors intact.

Sandnes Forbruksforening, Langgata 40

The main store of Sandnes Forbruksforening. A historical brick building with an altered exterior from 1905. Sandnes Forbruksforening was established with iron and metal workers from Sandnes Mechanical Workshop at the forefront. In 1951, the store was transformed into a "snarkjøpsbutikk," the first of its kind on the west coast of Norway. The building they took over was a stately historical brick structure with a corner tower and a flamboyant Baroque-style arch. Later, the exterior was radically altered with wooden panels and the removal of corner spires. However, the building's main shape remains intact, allowing it to be associated with the period. The house documents an important community institution, tied to the collective.

Høyland Town Hall (Sandnes) and Sandnes Town Hall, Jærveien 33

Høyland Town Hall, Sandnes Town Hall since the municipal merger in 1964, was designed by the architectural firm G. Helland and E. Aarreberg. A public building from 1961 in a modernist style with many typical details preserved both inside and outside. An extension in brick to the south from 1984 was recently demolished when the town hall was sold to Base Property after the new town hall by the harbour was completed. The original town hall is designed as a narrow six-story concrete block. Among the authentic interiors, particular highlights include the entrance hall with an elegant spiral staircase, a glass block stairwell to the south, and the city council chamber with sandblasted stone walls and original teak furniture. In Sandnes, we can see three generations of town halls in the city centre.

Skeiane Farm/Lensmann's Farm and Inn, Jærveien 36

A large classical-style residential building with a complex architectural history. It has served as a sheriff's residence and an inn through several eras. The core of the house is believed to be a small "jærhus" with a sod roof, which was moved here in the late 1600s. It underwent a total reconstruction in the 1760s, acquiring the characteristic projecting portico with columns that flank the main entrance. Around 1880, it was further extended. The house is preserved with many classical-style architectural details. All the outbuildings, except for the summer kitchen, have been demolished. Since 2018, Villa Skeiane has been an exclusive restaurant and inn run by the renowned chef couple Monica and Charles Tjessem.

Vitenfabrikken, Storgata 28

Vitenfabrikken, housing the Sandnes Museum and Science Center, is a significant institution in the cultural renaissance that began at the turn of the millennium. The architectural competition was won by Askim and Lantto AS with their "Jonas and the Vitenfabrikken" concept, inspired by the story of the curious and knowledge-thirsty boy Jonas – Jonas Øglænd, the entrepreneur, businessman, and community builder. Vitenfabrikken was completed in 2008 and is a modern building with exposed concrete in the basement. Its most distinctive feature is the large continuous glass facade with green dots, symbolising the building's function as a centre for technology and science.

Krossens havremølle, Vitenfabrikken

Krossens havremølle is an authentic oatmeal mill from 1912, where the machinery remains as it did when production ceased in 1988. The mill was started by Tomas Lura from Time. The carpenter transformed his workshop into a mill when he saw the opportunities in the milling industry in Sandnes. The building took on its final form in the 1930s. It's a plastered, 2 1/2-story brick house with two wings in an L-shape. The exterior reflects a subtle Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style, typical for industrial buildings of the time. The mill complex also includes the millmaster's residence located on Storgata, which now houses the Sandnes History Society. Today, Krossens havremølle is part of Vitenfabrikken/Jærmuseet.

Huset Vårt/Jonas Øglænds fabrikker, Solaveien 3, Solaveien 10

"Huset Vårt" has its origins in a large factory complex, with the first phase built in 1913. From 1933 to 1936, these buildings were incorporated into an impressive factory complex that nearly filled an entire city block with an address at Solaveien 3. In 1941-42, another expansion took place, creating a separate building at Solaveien 10, expedited by the need for bomb shelters. The architect was Gustav Helland. The factory complex adopted a unified design characterised by neoclassicism and functionalism. Solaveien 10 was connected to the older buildings by a pedestrian bridge, which was later adorned with ceramic figures by Ståle Kyllingstad and is a characteristic feature of the cityscape. In 1973, the factory complex was converted into the "Huset Vårt" shopping centre.

Funkishuset, Eidsvollgata 45

A stately single-family house from 1933, this house is likely the first purely functionalist residential building in Sandnes. The brick villa was designed for the merchant Ingvald Aase by Gunnar Schjelderup of Valdemar Hansteen's architectural firm. It features a distinctive cubic building structure with flat roofs at varying levels and rooftop terraces. While it is a typical representative of its architectural style, it is unusual as a residential building type in Sandnes. In recent decades, what can be called postmodern functionalism has seen a significant resurgence as a residential and vacation home type, both in Sandnes and on a national scale. Today, the house is used as an inter-municipal facility to provide better health and quality of life for substance-dependent individuals.

Dairy Building/Høyland Dairy, Storgata 61

Høyland Dairy's magnificent dairy building with a manager's residence in Neo-Baroque style from 1926, at that time the most modern dairy in the country. Stables, a carriage house, and a garage were also included. The architects were Kavli & Krogseth from Bergen. The dairy building is a three-story long brick structure with plastered bricks, on a concrete foundation with a natural stone base. It is characterised in particular by the large hipped roof with a curved shape and intricate roof ornaments. The architectural style is monumental Neo-Baroque, with associations with European castles. Høyland Dairy was of great significance to the town and its surrounding areas for many years. This cultural heritage emphasises the close historical ties between the town and the rural farming communities.

Punkthuset, Parkveien 29

Punkthuset was Sandnes' first high-rise building and the tallest building in Rogaland when it was completed in 1960. The architects were Tonning & Øglænd. Punkthuset, a 10-story structure, marked the beginning of Sandnes Boligbyggelag's housing construction in the 1960s. The building site was the clay court of Ganns Potteri and Teglverk. The tall, slender residential block is harmonious, with white-rendered concrete walls contrasting with rectangular turquoise fibre cement panels between the windows and on the balconies.

Punkthuset was considered an achievement and became a landmark for Sandnes. It became even more famous when the ground started sinking after three years. All residents had to be evacuated. However, the building quickly stabilized in 'absolute plumb'.

Varatun Gård/Fattighuset, Varatunhagen 51

In 1889, the city council decided to establish a workhouse at Lura. Here, the poor were to have a better life with food and shelter while also working on the farm, thus limiting the expenses for the public. The buildings were constructed in 1892. The large main building is a one-and-a-half-story Swiss-style house with two side wings forming a U-shape. The barn appears as a typical large-unit barn from the 1950s. One wing in the main house was used as the caretaker's residence. The buildings were expanded in 1928. In 1990, the house underwent renovation. The architectural style now is consistently Swiss-style. Varatun is a unique cultural heritage site that documents Sandnes' public history and an important stage in the development of the welfare state.

Tre tårn, Rundeskogen, Varatun

The highly distinctive high-rises known as 'Tre tårn' (Three towers) stand prominently in the cityscape of Sandnes. At the same time, they draw strong inspiration from the surrounding forest, incorporating elements of the tree's form, with branches of roots, a trunk, and a heavy crown. The choice of colours for the wall panels is bold and is often referred to as gold, silver, and bronze. The residential project 'Tre tårn' was completed in 2013. Architects Helen & Hard and developer Rundeskogen AS made it to the finals in the competition for the State Building Award. 'Tre tårn' was among the eight finalists and received an honourable mention.

IOGT Lodge House, 'Knirken,' Storgata 74 A

Lodge house for IOGT. A two-story brick building designed in 1935 by architect Gustav Helland in strict functionalism with a touch of neoclassicism. A small front yard with stepped, cast iron fences and inset iron picket fence is tailored to the building. Its original character is well-preserved. The house carries high historical, architectural, and identity value. It is part of an environment with several larger institutional buildings from the interwar period. Known to many older residents of Sandnes as the 'Knirken' (the Squeak) cinema. The folk joke was that the chairs creaked terribly.

Kinokino/Rådhusteatret, Olav Kyrres gate 5

The city's town hall and cinema building from 1942. A monumental, functionalist building of high architectural quality.

The building housed municipal offices, the city's library, a new municipal cinema, as well as a distribution station and offices for the power company. The architects were Gustav Helland and Sverre Brandsberg Dahl. The style is distinctly modernist with elements of art nouveau. It stands out as a harmonious building with good proportions. The house has preserved a high degree of originality in its exterior and parts of the interior – the cinema hall, in particular, is of rare high quality. The building is typical of its time and is a particularly fine example of architect-designed functionalism. It is strongly connected to the history of the community and has high symbolic and identity value.

Sandnes Hospital, Parkveien 2

The hospital was completed in 1914, and built according to designs by Ragnvald Kluge. The large one-and-a-half-story brick building with a central pointed arch had an almost villa-like appearance, surrounded by a park/garden. Later, the hospital was expanded and modified first in 1944 and later in 1960. The old hospital is not traceable in the facades. Today, the hospital is a four-story plastered brick building with a flat roof. The architectural style is functionalist, with a great variation in the distribution of building mass and facades. Take note of the large hospital park with the oldest trees in downtown Sandnes.

Langgata barnehage/Sandnes folkeskole, Langgata 74

Sandnes Folkeskole from 1899 was built according to designs by architect Hartvig Sverdrup Eckhoff. It is an unusually splendid historic brick building with a style reminiscent of the Neo-Renaissance, something unique and one of a kind in Sandnes. The design is rich with colossal pilasters, capitals, and a robust cornice. Except for new window panes, the original stylistic character has been well-preserved. An annexed gymnasium is set back from the main facade and does not disturb the impression. The building is a representative monument of the 'unity school' and the era's views on education, demonstrating the importance the city placed on education.

We hope the tour sparked curiosity and kindled a desire to learn more. For further exploration, check Sandnes Municipality's overview of cultural heritage, the cultural heritage register, and all the knowledge bases for Sandnes neighbourhoods by City Archaeologist Gro Persson. You might also want to explore the book "Sandnesarkitektur" by Hild Sørby and Mette Paavola, published by Fagbokforlaget in 2016. Happy exploring!