Expansion of Tromsø’s Fram Centre makes room for more Arctic research cooperation

The Fram Centre is now by far the largest Arctic science community located north of the Arctic Circle.

By Thomas Nilsen, The Independent Barents Observer August 24, 2018
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Rector Anne Husebekk with UiT – Norway’s Arctic University receives the key to the new Fram Centre from Minister of Environment Ola Elvestuen. (Thomas Nilsen / The Independent Barents Observer)

Phase II of Tromsø’s Fram Centre — the High North Research Centre for Climate and Environment — was officially opened this week in Tromsø by Norway’s Minister of Environment, Ola Elvestuen.

Scientists from 21 institutions in the fields of natural science, technology and social sciences now shares 24,500 square meters of office space and laboratories. The new building is connected with the old office wing via a glassed-in atrium.

The atrium is designed to become a lively arena for communication, not just between the different institutions, but also between researchers and the public.

Moving in with state-of-the-art laboratories are the Institute for Air Research, Institute of Marine Research and the Radiation Protection Authorities. Others, like the Barents Watch, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry and the Arctic Council secretariat will benefit from sharing space with the researchers.

The Fram Centre is now, with about 500 employees, by far the largest Arctic science community located north of the circumpolar Arctic Circle.

Ground level of the Fram Centre’s building phase II is built 90 centimeters higher then the first building that opened in 1998.

Impact of climate changes have been more dramatic than even Norway’s best climate researchers in Tromsø could predict when the first office wing was planned. The shock came some years ago when the polar library, located on the ground floor, nearly got flooded due to extraordinary high tide during a storm. The library holds some of the most valuable records of historic books by Norwegian polar explorers like Amundsen and Nansen.

Higher sea-level and more storms made the center decide to build the new wing higher from ground. Also, the 20-year-old office wing gets 90 centimeters higher protection level against sea water.