IHUGA: Redefining Norway’s destination development

In an era where travel and tourism are evolving rapidly, IHUGA Arkitekter stands out for its deep expertise in designing for unique destinations. Specializing in tourist and mountain resorts, IHUGA has carved out a niche that bridges the needs of businesses, visitors, and nature.

Small but with a hunger to create, IHUGA seeks to create sustainable, vibrant destinations. First founded as a student project in 2004 by Aasmund Vaa and Anders Koller Tufte, IHUGA has experienced many phases and projects. “Today, we specialize in destinations that enhance the traveller’s experience while ensuring long-term viability for the community and environment,” says Vaa. “Whether it’s ski resorts or hiking retreats, we focus on balancing the natural beauty of the landscape with the needs of the modern visitors.”

IHUGA values the human experience and aims to create spaces where potential can grow. As a small company, the team can work closely with clients, allowing them to tailor the designs to specific goals and needs. Regardless of working with a destination project or other structures, IHUGA provides customized solutions that address environmental and commercial concerns.

Alpine Village, Bjorli.

“We always consider improving existing structures rather than expanding the human footprint,” says Tufte, explaining that they like to focus on rehabilitation and finding solutions that make the best of what already exists. “Revamping, with equal respect for both the past and the future, is going to be an increasingly important task for architects in years to come,” he says.

Much of IHUGA’s work has been concentrated in the mountains, with the portfolio including development of places such as Gaustablikk, Tyin Filefjell, the Arctic Center in Tromsø, Støtvig Hotell på Larkollen, and more. While these places may have been centred mostly around winter sports, they are far from limited to that niche. “Recently, we have expanded into other types of tourist destinations, applying our expertise to a variety of projects,” says Vaa. “In Hafjell, we’ve been commissioned to conduct a mobility study, aiming to create efficient transport solutions that could transform the accessibility and appeal of the area for future visitors.”

In addition to the office in Oslo, the firm also has a space in Bilbao, Spain, from which the team is involved in exciting projects and collaborations. The international expansion demonstrates the company’s ability to adapt destination-centric designs to different climates, cultures, and client needs. “It’s not just about building beautiful structures; it’s about understanding how people will interact with the space. From families visiting a ski resort to adventurers looking for a remote retreat, to just even having a coffee in their own kitchen, we aim to create spaces that enhance those experiences,” says Tufte.

Arctic Center, Tromsø.

Web: www.ihuga.no