What Metropolis does

Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS is a privately held Norwegian architecture and interior design firm headquartered in Oslo, founded in 2000 by Hanne Arvik and Kari Ihle. The company delivers integrated architecture, interior architecture, lighting design, custom product and furniture design, graphic design, project management, and styling services from concept through completed building. Its client base spans hospitality (Scandic, Britannia Hotel, Holmenkollen Park, Opus XVI, Classic Norway Hotels), restaurants (Olivia, Miso Ramen), commercial real estate (CapMan, Watrium, R8 Property, Entra), banking and legal (Romerike Sparebank, CMS Kluge, Sem & Johnsen), retail (Urmaker Bjerke, Baker Hansen), technology (Webstep), and Norwegian government entities including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (26 embassies) and the Prime Minister's residence.

The firm's core technology stack is built on Archicad for 3D architectural drafting, BIM for large-scale projects, and 3D visualization and rendering tools including VR/AR. Proprietary differentiators include a sustainability and circular design methodology covering reuse and recycling mapping (gjenbruks- og ombrukskartlegging), sustainable material selection, and long-lifecycle quality materials; a 3D visualization workflow that converts concepts into realistic imagery before construction; custom product design for both project-specific and commercial manufacturer use (including the 'Choises' modular cabinet series with Ragnars); and a dedicated lighting design capability combining technical standards with decorative intent.

The business model is project-based professional services supplemented by licensing/royalty revenue from commercial product design. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies with scope and complexity. The go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-focused: clients are acquired through direct engagement, referrals, repeat engagements from long-standing relationships, and competitive tendering for major projects. The firm is partner-owned, with founders retaining majority partnership alongside several employee-partners, and operates primarily in Norway with international project execution via Norwegian government contracts. Marketing channels emphasize portfolio reputation, professional website, social media, the quarterly 'Metropolis Times' magazine, and memberships in NIL and Arkitektbedriftene.

Name

Metropolis

Legal name

Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS

Website

https://metropolis.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Metropolis Arkitektur & Design AS is a privately held Norwegian architecture and interior design firm based in Oslo, founded in 2000. The firm delivers integrated architecture, interior, lighting, and product design services to hospitality, commercial, residential, government, and retail clients across Norway and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural and Interior Design Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (54141), Interior Design Services (541410)

SIC

Office Furniture (2520), Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures (2590)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban & Downtown Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAA), Urban Luxury Hotels (City Luxury) (THAGACAE), Retail & Mixed-Use Commercial Construction (IMAFACAB), Residential Interior Fit-Out (Multi-Family & High-End) (IMAFANAE)

Keywords

• Architectural design services
• Interior architecture
• Space planning
• Furniture design
• Sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Architecture and Interior Architecture Services: Full-service architecture and interior architecture engagements covering all project phases from initial sketch to completed building. Services include concept development, space planning, project management, lighting design, special/custom product design, and styling. Revenue is project-based, typically one-time per engagement with potential for follow-on projects with the same client.
2. Product Design: Design of custom furniture and products for both project-specific needs and commercial production for furniture manufacturers. Includes specialized lighting fixtures, storage solutions, and interior elements.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Metropolis delivers comprehensive architectural and interior design services as an integrated practice covering building architecture, interior architecture, and product/furniture design. Engagements span concept development, space planning, project management, lighting design, custom product design, sustainable/circular design, and interior styling from initial sketch to completed building.

Product overview

Metropolis arkitektur & design is an architecture and interior design firm offering comprehensive architectural services as a unified service offering rather than a modular software platform. Their core offering encompasses building and architecture, interior architecture, and product/furniture design delivered holistically. The firm provides integrated service modules including space planning and layout, concept development, project management, universal design, specialist and furniture design, lighting design, 3D visualization, graphic design, sustainable design, and styling—all delivered through close collaboration with clients from early-phase ideation through to completed buildings. The company was founded in 2000 and serves a broad client base across residential, commercial, hospitality, retail, public, and cultural sectors throughout Norway and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Architecture and Interior Design Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 embassies across 3 continents (Africa, Asia, Europe)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• GoldboxminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Visualization partner for multiple major projects including Sørkedalsveien 6 (with Lund+Slaatto Arkitekter), Hotell Kasernen (with SG&Co Arkitekter), The Dock 69°39, and various hotel projects. Created detailed renderings and 3D models for project visualization.
• Olivia (Drueklasen AS, NPRO Norwegian Property, Olivia As)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Long-standing collaboration since 2006 with the Italian-inspired Olivia restaurant chain. Metropolis has designed restaurants across Norway and internationally including Helsinki and Gothenburg. From 2015-2023 worked with development manager Bent Finseth and Kristin Gjelseth on establishments both abroad and in major Norwegian cities.
• Baker Hansen AScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 199925+ year collaboration with Norway's oldest bakery (established 1861). Metropolis serves as lead interior architect for Baker Hansen stores across Norway including Asker, Nydalen, Grini, and Sandvika. Also designs packaging including coffee cups, cake boxes, bread bags, labels, and gift packaging.
• Legeforeningen (Norwegian Medical Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned and developed a custom meeting table for Legeforeningen's offices. The oval table, inspired by nature and organic forms, is produced in oak and linoleum, combining practical use with elegant expression.
• RehubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborated on comprehensive reuse and recycling mapping (gjenbruks- og ombrukskartlegging) early in the Inkognito Park 33 project to identify elements for preservation and reuse.
• Nils TorpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Nils Torp on the SIXA project at Oslo Atrium/Bjørvika alongside Watrium Eiendom.
• Lund+Slaatto ArkitekterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture collaboration on Sørkedalsveien 6 total rehabilitation project in Majorstuen, Oslo.
• SG&Co ArkitekterminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture collaboration on Hotell Kasernen project in Fredrikstad (infanterikasernen from 1783-1787).
• Henrik Tharp (PG.no)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaboration on Romerike Sparebank project in Lillestrøm.
• A'normal StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudio collaboration on the Miso Ramen restaurant project at VIA Vika in Oslo.
• Norwegian PropertiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty developer collaboration on CMS Kluge office project at Aker Brygge.
• DEASminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty management collaboration on Romerike Sparebank rehabilitation project in Lillestrøm.
• RagnarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the 'Choises' modular cabinet series with Ragnars, combining storage with room division and screening for open-plan offices. Modular design with L-shaped and square units, available in various laminates and plywood finishes.
• Norske interiørarkitekters og møbeldesigneres landsforening (NIL)minorOthersProfessional membership organization for Norwegian interior architects and furniture designers. Metropolis is a member of NIL.
• ArkitektbedrifteneminorOthersNorwegian architecture industry association. Metropolis is a member of Arkitektbedriftene.
• Utenriksdepartementet (Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetropolis has worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a total of 26 embassies, residences and homes across Africa, Asia and Europe - one of the company's most significant project portfolios.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mad Arkitekter: Norwegian architecture firm with significant interior design and product design capabilities. Comparable to Metropolis across hospitality, commercial, and public-sector projects, with broader scale and offices beyond Oslo; represents a direct mid-to-large tier competitor in the Nordic market.
• Yabu Pushelberg: Internationally recognized interior design and architecture firm specializing in luxury hotels and high-end hospitality. Comparable to Metropolis on the hotel interior design offering and award-winning luxury hospitality credentials; a much larger global incumbent competing for the same international hotel owner briefs.
• Snøhetta: Norwegian-founded architecture and design firm with global offices. Overlaps with Metropolis on architecture, interior architecture, and brand-experience design across hospitality, cultural, and public-sector projects; broader geographic reach and larger bench make it the leading Norwegian peer and the principal incumbent competitor for premium commissions.

Direct peers

• DARK Arkitekter: Oslo-based architecture and interior architecture practice. Directly comparable to Metropolis in size, Norwegian market focus, multi-disciplinary offering, and hospitality/commercial project mix; competes for similar boutique enterprise and residential commissions in the Oslo region.
• Note Design Studio: Stockholm-based interior architecture and product design studio. Comparable to Metropolis on multi-disciplinary interior + product design offering for hospitality, commercial, and residential clients; a relevant Nordic peer for cross-border Scandinavian project competition.
• Stylt Trampoli: Swedish interior architecture and branding studio with hospitality specialization. Comparable to Metropolis in boutique size, interior-architecture-led service offering, and hotel/restaurant project focus; competes for Nordic premium hospitality and F&B design commissions.
• Helen & Hard: Norwegian architecture and design firm based in Stavanger/Oslo with strong sustainability credentials. Comparable to Metropolis in scale, integrated architecture/interior approach, and emphasis on sustainable materials; overlaps in residential and select commercial/hospitality commissions.
• Jensen & Skodvin Arkitektkontor: Oslo-based architecture practice known for hospitality, cultural, and high-end residential work. Comparable in scale and Norwegian focus to Metropolis, with similar award-winning reputation in boutique hotel and architectural design; competes for the same high-end hotel and heritage renovation briefs.
• Space Copenhagen: Danish interior architecture and product/furniture design studio. Directly comparable to Metropolis on the interior architecture + custom product design business model, with strong Nordic hospitality and restaurant portfolio (NOMA, etc.); represents the leading cross-Nordic boutique interior architecture peer.

Others

• Ivar Kvaal / various Norwegian interior architects: NIL (Norske Interiørarkitekters og Møbeldesigneres Landsforbund) is the Norwegian professional association of which Metropolis is a member. Relevant as a peer ecosystem reference, identifying the broader pool of MNIL-certified Norwegian interior architects and furniture designers against whom Metropolis competes for talent and project mandates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/metropolis.no
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metropolis-arkitektur-&-design-as
• Instagraminstagram.com/metropolis.no

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metropolis