Y-block: Art and architecture in inseparable interaction

The competition to design a new government building complex was announced in 1939, but was put on hold when World War II broke out.
Viksjø's submission to the competition was highlighted even before the war, and he won the contract when planning for the new building resumed after the war. But it took time for the competition committee to become enthusiastic, and Viksjø produced many different drafts.
The Highrise was built in the period 1955–59.
The Y-block was completed in 1969.

Born 4 July 1910 in Trondheim.
Educated at the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH).
Worked for and later led Ove Bang's architectural firm.
Started his own architectural firm after World War II.
Was held prisoner in Grini prison camp for some of the war.
Inspired by Le Corbusier and Marcel Breuer.
Used a lot of concrete in his buildings, often sandblasted natural concrete and conglomerate concrete, with inlaid patterns in the form of carefully positioned stones.
Some key projects: Bakkehaugen Church (1959), The Hydro building (1963), The Y-block (1969), The Highrise (1955–58), The Tromsø bridge (1963) and Bergen City Hall (1968–74).
Viksjø died 2 December 1971 in Oslo.