Photo: Svein Spjelkavik

The making of The Whale

The Whale was born as an idea in 2014 and has since reached several major milestones. In 2019, Dorte Mandrup won the architectural competition, and in the fall of 2024, the contractor Hent, along with experience designers Ralph Appelbaum Associates and Tamschick Media+Space, were selected.

The project is funded through a collaborative effort of public and private contributions, with the final portion of public financing secured in November 2024. After years of dedicated work, the opening is planned for 2027.

Roger Pettersen, project manager for construction, The Whale AS.

HENT to construct The Whale

HENT has been selected as the contractor to bring The Whale to life following a thorough tender process and evaluation. They will work closely with the administration, advisors, and architect Dorte Mandrup to plan the project and establish a target price by February 2025.

HENT brings experience from complex projects and emphasizes the use of local and regional subcontractors. This approach ensures that The Whale generates positive ripple effects for the local community right from the construction phase.

Participants from Ralph Appelbaum Associates and Tamschick Media+Space are visiting Andøy.

World-class designers creating the content

The content of The Whale will be developed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) from Berlin, the world’s leading exhibition designers. RAA boasts an impressive portfolio that includes the Tower of London and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

In collaboration with partners such as Tamschick Media + Space and Belzner-Holmes Light Design, they aim to create an experience that captivates both the emotions and the intellect, offering a truly immersive and inspiring journey.

The local community participates in a workshop to share their expectations and ideas for the content of The Whale, as part of the 10th-anniversary celebration. Photo: Svein Spjelkavik

Creating The Whale together

The local community has been an integral part of the development of The Whale from the very beginning. Through workshops and feedback, they have contributed to both the architecture and the content, and this dialogue will continue moving forward.

Milestones are celebrated together with the community, with the goal of making The Whale not just an attraction, but a place where people feel they have been part of its creation.

About the construction project

Owner: The Whale AS
Developer: The Whale AS
Operational responsibility: The Whale Drift AS
Architect: Dorte Mandrup A/S
Landscape architect: Marianne Levinsen Landskab ApS
General contractor: HENT AS
Experience designers: Ralph Appelbaum Associates, Berlin, and Tamschick Media & Space, Berlin
Total area: Approximately 3,750 m²
Exhibition area: Approximately 1,800 m²
Roof area: Approximately 4,900 m²

Timeline

September 30, 2024: Start of collaboration phase
February 28, 2025: Contract signing with the general contractor
May 1, 2025: Planned start of construction
March 1, 2027: The Whale AS takes possession of the building
June 3, 2027: Official opening

The making of The Whale

The project is supported by