The 50 and 500 kroner notes, which are now being brought into use, join the new 100 and 200 notes that were put into circulation in 2017. The final design, a 1,000 kroner note, is expected to be in use by the end of 2019, completing the renewal of the paper currency redesign.
“Our cubical pattern first of all represents pixels; our times’ visual language. Secondly, it represents mosaic; surface décor put together by different materials of different colours which together create a picture,” explains Snøhetta.
The five notes feature pixelated design based on the Beaufort wind speed scale, representing the country's strong relationship between land and sea. The 50 kroner note is covered in a pattern of small green cubes, representing low wind intensity. The intensity of the design escalates with the value of the banknotes, with the 1,000 kroners representing harsh winds and choppy waters.
The Central Bank of Norway announced, in 2014, two winning proposals for the design of the new Norwegian banknotes, the pixelated design by Snøhetta and The Metric System designs. Snøhetta’s design will be for the backsides of the notes, while The Metric System’s design will be the basis for the front sides.
It is known Snøhetta’s architectural work (most its San Francisco MOMA expansion, and its ongoing reconfiguration of Times Square, New York). However, the firm, founded in Oslo in 1989, also does some pretty impressive branding and graphic design.
Snøhetta speculates its pixelated vision of the country’s coastline could be its very last banknote design.
